According to a report in Express, Chelsea are planning a January move for Denis Suarez who is valued at £45m. The Barcelona midfielder has fallen down the pecking order under Ernesto Valverde this season and a January move could be on the cards here.
Although Chelsea are set to face stiff competition from Milan, the Blues might come out on top, given the fact that Barcelona are keen to secure a cash deal for the midfielder. But, is he the right choice for the Premier League giants?
Denis Suarez: Player profile
A former Manchester City youth player, Denis Suarez initially made his mark in La Liga back in the 2015/16 season, making 33 appearances for Villarreal during a loan spell. He was involved in ten goals during the corresponding campaign, earning him a place in Barcelona’s first-team setup in 2016.
However, Suarez has struggled since, especially under Valverde as the Spanish head coach of Barcelona has been reluctant in starting him ahead of the likes of Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo. In fact, he is yet to make a single league appearance so far, which is highly unacceptable for a player of his calibre.
Speaking of which, Denis Suarez is mainly known for his technical prowess in midfield as the 24-year-old is an excellent ball carrier, who is also a proficient dribbler. His small 1.76m frame allows him to maintain his balance even at full throttle, helping him wriggle through tight spaces.
Suarez has quick feet as well, which, fused with an excellent first touch, allow him to link up with teammates in the final third.
On the flip side, the Barcelona midfielder understandably lacks physical prowess and his small figure serves as a huge disadvantage when it comes to aerial duels.
Should Chelsea pursue Denis Suarez?
It’s no secret that Chelsea are keen to bolster their midfield department in January as Maurizio Sarri looks to increase his options.
Denis Suarez, in that regard, could be an ideal target given the fact that the Spaniard has the necessary technical qualities that will help him prevail under the tactical philosophy of the Italian mastermind.
Although the 24-year-old is advertised as a playmaker, Barcelona have been using him as a number eight for a long time now and thus, Sarri will have the liberty to utilize his qualities in his three-man midfield setup. Among the current players, Kovacic is on loan and there are doubts over Cesc Fabregas’s future at the club which implies that there might be a considerable void in Sarri’s midfield arsenal in the near future.
As a matter of fact, Suarez could also be an upgrade on Ross Barkley, who often lacks composure as well as consistency.
Any addition will ultimately inject more competition and urgency in the Chelsea midfield which has seen a few ups and downs recently. Furthermore, Suarez’s previous stint with Manchester City will definitely help him settle down if a move actually materialises.