Chelsea could swoop in to sign Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic ahead of the 2021-22 season. The experienced midfielder had a quiet first season at the Nou Camp as he was used mainly off the bench.
As per ESPN, Barcelona want to sell a number of their first-team players, one of whom is Pjanic. The 31-year-old is reportedly keen to return to Juventus, while the likes of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also in the race to sign him, as per another report. Barca are willing to allow him to leave for a small sum.
Miralem Pjanic played 30 times for Barcelona last season, starting just 12 times. His current deal with the La Liga giants expires in 2024.
Miralem Pjanic: A good addition to the team?
A few years ago, Miralem Pjanic was regarded as one of the best central midfielders in Europe. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international’s superb passing, control, and leadership in midfield helped Juve win four league titles on the trot. Pjanic is a composed passer in midfield, rarely gives the ball away, while his awareness and tenacity in defensive situations make him an all-round operator.
The 31-year-old is capable of playing as a holding midfielder or as a central midfielder. Pjanic is also superb from set-piece situations thanks to his accurate, whipped crosses. The Barca midfielder could be a good fit in Chelsea’s squad and would give manager Thomas Tuchel plenty of options in the middle of the park.
The Blues’ current options in midfield are N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, and Jorginho, while Mason Mount can play in central midfield in a midfield three. The likes of Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who spent last season away on loan, may not have a future at the club. Young midfielder Billy Gilmour, who has impressed for Chelsea and his national team, maybe sent out on loan to improve his development.
This leaves Tuchel with just three first-choice midfielders in Kante, Kovacic and Jorginho. The addition of a player like Pjanic would add experience, quality and depth to the Blues team. Pjanic could slot in well in the Chelsea team and would work well in Tuchel’s system, where the midfielders are expected to be combative, pass and press well. The Blues struggled a bit last season when they had injuries to key midfielders, and it seemed like they lacked one extra midfielder in their squad.
With Miralem Pjanic potentially available for a small fee, a move for him would make sense for Chelsea.