When a player like Lionel Messi becomes available, football clubs from all over the world will definitely have a look. Of course they will, that's understandable.
We're talking about one of the, if not the, greatest footballer of all-time. We're not here to get into that debate, though, we're here to talk about Chelsea and why they shouldn't get sucked into a battle for his signature.
The Blues were offered the chance to sign Messi's great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, in the summer transfer window. Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, had a lengthy conversation with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly – who was said to be keen on signing the Manchester United attacker.
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However, Thomas Tuchel, who has since been sacked, turned down the opportunity. Ronaldo has caused all sorts of problems in the Man United dressing room since then. Most recently, the Portuguese reportedly refused to come on as a substitute and then stormed down the Old Trafford tunnel and left the ground before the full-time whistle in their win over Tottenham – leaving Erik ten Hag furious.
Those sort of problems perhaps wouldn't happen with Messi, but there are a few issues that signify why Chelsea should look elsewhere. Number one is the money he would demand. The Argentine is reportedly earning about €3.375million (£2.9million) a month at the Parc des Princes.
Number two is the contract length Messi would demand. The 35-year-old wanted a two-year deal when he made the move from Barcelona to PSG in 2021 and if he wanted the same length this time around, that would keep him at the club until he's 37. Chelsea, in the past, have tended to offer players around the similar age just a 12-month contract.
Boehly has already invested so much in youth players and clearly has a long-term vision of how he wants the academy to benefit the senior squad. As brilliant as signing someone of Messi's global stature would be for revenue and commercial sales, it could have a detrimental impact on his long-term project he is trying to build at Chelsea.
The fact is, despite some supporters talking about the possibility on social media, it is very, very, very unlikely to happen. Messi looks to be on his way to the MLS to play for Inter Miami and that in fairness looks like a good move for all parties. Anytime a big-name player moves to America to play football, it only benefits the sport out there.
It's a shame that we're probably never going to see Messi kick a ball in the Premier League. It's about two or three years too late for this to be a smart move for Chelsea.
Instead, Chelsea should look to keep investing in their squad but in smarter ways. It looks like a deal to sign Christopher Nkunku next summer is all but over the line, bar any last minute problems.
That looks to be an intelligent play by the Blues and Boehly. Nkunku is a man who will be heavily in-demand next summer and Chelsea are doing their best to sort out a pre-contract agreement so the competition can be fended off.
Then, unless there are a multitude of sales in the attacking department, Chelsea's focus should be on their midfield options. N'Golo Kante and Jorginho could both leave next summer with their contracts, as it stands, due to expire.
Declan Rice is of course an option, as is Edson Alvarez from Ajax. Other options have been discussed, too, such as Bruno Guimaraes and Moises Caicedo from Newcastle United and Brighton, respectively.
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