Chelsea transfer news: Six possible replacements for Cesc Fabregas, including Barcelona ace Ivan Rakitic and Adrien Rabiot

Chelsea transfer news: Six possible replacements for Cesc Fabregas, including Barcelona ace Ivan Rakitic and Adrien Rabiot
With Cesc Fabregas now sold to Monaco Chelsea could sign a new midfielder in the coming days.The Blues were reportedly attempting to land two players – Leandro Paredes and Nicolo Barella – as manager Maurizio Sarri hunted the ideal replacement for Fabregas, but the former has now joined Paris Saint-Germain.7

Fabregas salutes the Chelsea fans on what looks to be his final appearance for the club against Nottingham Forest

Sarri clearly wants a talented playmaker who must have fine technique and otherworldly vision to help progress the ball from tight areas?It will be no mean feat replacing the Spaniard, who goes down as a Premier League legend after leaving for the south of France.So who are the men who might be up to the task? Find out below…

Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)

Chelsea don’t often sign older players but it seems they may make an exception for the Croatian star as his time at the Camp Nou nears its end.With Ernesto Valverde landing Frenkie de Jong and Arthur, while have Carles Alena and Riqui Puig in reserve, Rakitic may make way in the summer.If the 30-year-old does leaves then Sarri might feel it’s wise to sign a player of such a high standard.7

Rakitic’s stunning volley against Tottenham Hotspur has been one of the goals of the season

His passing ability is superb, while talkSPORT.com’s man in Spain, Lee Roden, believe Rakitic remains one of the most underrated players in world football.Meanwhile, he also has the required work rate to play a role in a Sarri side.

Amadou Diawara (Napoli)

Want an understudy to Jorginho? Why not sign the old understudy to Jorginho? Diawara should have succeeded the Brazilian in Naples but Carlo Ancelottis arrival has seen a change of formation and Marek Hamsik playing deeper, leading to a lack of minutes for the Guinea international.7

Diawara is on the fringes in Napoli.

Positionally, hes the ideal man for Chelsea given he knows the manager and the system required while hes also continued to operate in the same style, despite a different role for Napoli.You wont catch him dribbling forward as hes only intent on one thing, passing the ball forwards using the team-mates surrounding him.At 21-years-old he would represent an excellent long-term purchase too but the chances of him moving for another backup role are low.

Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain)

While he isn’t quite the playmaker Fabregas is, Rabiot would bolster the Blues in a position which no looks a little weak.The midfielder is almost certain to leave PSG in one of the next two windows with Barcelona the club he has mostly been linked with in recent weeks.Liverpool and Tottenham have also been credited with interest, which is understandable, given his impeccable passing and ability to move the ball forward under his own steam – a desperately needed talent in a modern midfielder.7

Rabiot is in with an outside chance of joining Chelsea

Nicolo Barella (Cagliari)

The Italy international is certainly a versatile midfielder given his talents both offensively and defensively.Hes technically excellent, which at 21-years-old is impressive, but is a lot more box-to-box in style than perhaps a replacement for Fabregas needs to be but his ability to play in a high-tempo side should help him adapt if Sarri is to alter his role.7

Barella appears to be a top target for Sarri.

It feels like a risk if he is to compete with Jorginho whereas he could be a long-term replacement for the on-loan Matteo Kovacic and a competitor for NGolo Kante, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.Its likely Cagliari would want a fee of around 45million for his services.

Remo Freuler (Atalanta)

A competent ball progressor and blessed with excellent vision, it seems odd the 26-year-old hasnt been heavily linked with many Premier League sides.Hes a core part of the impressive Serie A side, under the tutelage of Gian Piero Gasperini, but it is perhaps the surrounding formation a 3-4-3 which puts off potential suitors.The Swiss star can just as easily switch play with cross-field pass as he can play through the lines of an opponents with neat one-twos.7

Freuler is an under the radar possibility for Chelsea.

His defensive output is also pretty similar to Jorginho in terms of interceptions and tackles completed, but whether he has the discipline to hold position is another query given hes used to playing alongside Marten de Roon.

Stefano Sensi (Sassuolo)

Currently wanted by AC Milan, the 23-year-old Italian international sometimes looks a touch raw but is still impressing in a deep-lying midfield role.At only 5ft 6in, Sensi wouldnt be the most imposing midfielder the Premier League has seen but hes happy to get stuck in as well as move the ball on to team-mates.7

Could Chelsea nab Sensi ahead of AC Milan?

Fond of playing longer passes down the wings to team-mates as well as moving the ball through the lines, its easy to see why he will be moving up the food chain soon.Hes not making the same amount of passes per 90 minutes as someone like Jorginho but he is unerringly accurate most of the time.

---

West Ham United news: Jack Wilshere 'could miss rest of the season' amid ankle surgery fears The midfielder has only played five minutes of football since September, and could now be ruled out
West Ham United news: Jack Wilshere 'could miss rest of the

---

espn.com Olivier Giroud has said his Chelsea future looks "bleaker" following the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus on loan until the end of the season.
Giroud: Higuain arrival at Chelsea makes my future bleaker

---

Coach Massimiliano Allegri will leave Serie A champions Juventus at the end of this season, the club said on Friday. "Massimiliano Allegri will not be on the Juventus bench for the 2019/2020
Massimiliano Allegri to leave Juventus at the end of the season

---

'Vincent Kompany over Virgil van Dijk seven days a week' - Man City captain hailed as superior to Liverpool rival after stunning strike Manchester City needed a hero against Leicester City on Monday night and boy did Vincent Kompany step
Man City Fans: Kompany > Van Dijk - dailymail.co.uk

---

Manchester United transfer news: 10 possible replacements for

---

Jun 07, 2019 · Scotland - Women's World Cup debutants as a team - were thrashed 6-0 by England when the sides last met, in their opening match at Euro 2017. Parris added: This is a different Scotland.
Ladies's World Cup 2019 - just about 1,000,000 tickets

---

Here's why Aston Villa must make Tammy Abraham their priority striker signing New, 3 comments Tammy Abraham is a born striker, he's young, he's confident and he gets what Villa are all about.

---

Crystal Palace could see one of their misfits leave the club in the January transfer window. According to a report by Takvim, Fenerbahce are keen on taking Jairo Riedewald on loan as the player
Celta Vigo target move for Crystal Palace midfielder Jairo

---

The forward picked up a foot injury in the French Cup clash with Strasbourg on January 23 and underwent scans and further assessment at the club's Ooredoo Training Center.
Neymar set to miss both of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions

---

Is Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool on TV? Plus team news and betting odds for Champions League clash. All you need to know ahead of Liverpool's big trip to Paris on Wednesday, from Josh Kerr
UEFA Champions League - PSG 1-1 Manchester United - Live!

---

He moved from West Yorkshire to South Yorkshire, joining Sheffield United for the 2004/2005 season. He would spend just one year at Bramall Lane, and a reunion with Hoddle at Wolverhampton Wanderers the following season proved to be similarly brief. Then, in the summer of 2006, Catterall decided to go back to his roots.
Fulham's new signings meet each other at Craven Cottage in

---

January is a difficult time to do business—any football manager will happily tell you that—but each and every club would be eager to make a deal if the right opportunity arises. At this time
12 best Premier League games to watch for 2019-20 season
sportstons.com/soccer/12-best-premier-league-games-to-watch-for-2019-20-season/
Manchester United vs Chelsea on opening weekend, a huge New Year's clash and a north London derby in August: The games you have to WATCH this season. The Premier League fixtures were released on Thursday for the 2019-20 season; Defending champions Man City have been given a straight-forward start
Premier League star 'fits the bill' for Manchester United

---

Jan 26, 2019 · AFC Wimbledon 4-2 West Ham: FA Cup fourth round - as it happened Wagstaff said pre-match that he would dye his hair in Wimbledon colours if they were to dump West Ham out. Goals by Kwesi

---

Jose Mourinho takes Manchester United training without Paul Pogba as injured star looks set to miss Champions League clash against Sevilla. Alexis Sanchez has struggled find form since his
Man United stars arrive to training without star man and new

---

Man City send Tottenham Hotspur cheeky stadium tweet ahead of Champions League clash. Manchester City take on their Premier League rivals at Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium in a bid to reach the
Spurs 1-0 City: Son snatches victory in Champions League

---