Marcus Rashford is being strongly linked with a move away from Manchester United this summer and our Chelsea panel discuss and debate whether the Blues should make a move for the England attacker
Chelsea are on the hunt for a new left-sided winger this summer as the club look to provide Xabi Alonso with the necessary tools to compete in his debut season.
There is plenty of excitement regarding Alonso’s appointment as Blues manager, with the club expected to give the Spaniard more power than his predecessors when it comes to transfer dealings. Alonso is, sources say, aligned with the club’s sporting leadership team in relation to the areas of the squad that need improving in the recently-opened summer transfer window.
Chelsea insiders are – at the time of writing – keeping their cards close to their chest when it comes to handing out specific names. We know Morgan Rogers is of long-term interest, though – if reports elsewhere are to be believed – Arsenal are the current front-runners for the England international’s signature.
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One name that hasn’t been linked with Chelsea this summer but has in past windows is Marcus Rashford. The 28-year-old spent last season on loan at Barcelona but the Spanish champions have chosen not to trigger the €30million (£25.9m) option to buy from Manchester United.
According to a report in The Athletic earlier this week, there is a £40m clause in Rashford’s contract at Old Trafford to all admirers, apart from United’s local rivals Manchester City and Liverpool. So, with this being said, football.london‘s Chelsea writers Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss whether the Blues should be one of the clubs looking to activate such a clause:
Bobby Vincent
While Rashford would be an upgrade on what Chelsea had at left wing last season – Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens, namely – the Blues should be looking for a class above the England international. He does tick a lot of boxes but there are better options out there for the west Londoners.
I’m not sure too many Chelsea fans will be happy with me preferring the younger, less experienced option in Yan Diomande, but that’s where my head is at. After watching him earlier in the week star in Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador, the prospect of adding him to work under Alonso is a hugely exciting one.
Yes, Rashford’s transfer fee would be cheap (in relative terms), but his wages – with the United attacker reportedly on over £300,000-a-week at Old Trafford – are far too high for what Chelsea would be getting. I do think Rashford will do well wherever he goes, but this deal doesn’t make financial sense for the Blues at this moment in time. Stay clear.
Jake Stokes
Rashford would be a good addition to the Chelsea squad, and he’d certainly be an upgrade on Gittens and Garnacho. Having failed to qualify for either of UEFA’s three club competitions, the Blues aren’t really in a position to throw their weight around this summer and compete for the signatures of world-class, or at least close to world-class, players.
Unless Michael Carrick finds a place for the 28-year-old forward in his plans at Old Trafford or Barcelona comes calling, this could be the best chance that Chelsea have at signing a big name before they’re competing in the Champions League again. Even if the Blues were to only sign Rashford on loan, with an option to buy: at worst, he’d be a good stopgap, and, at best, he picks up from where he left off in Spain.
Ultimately, I fear that beggars can’t be choosers. Unfortunately, at the moment, neither of the Paris Saint-Germain wingers, Kenan Yildiz or Diomande, for example, are realistic options. So, Chelsea should have an offer – that doesn’t break the wage structure – ready, just in case the England international either becomes available or if Alonso gives the green light.
