Andre Villas-Boas’ second signing Barcelona’s Oriol Romeu to replace injured http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Essien-c25294
Oriol Romeu becomes Chelsea’s new manager Andre Villas-Boas’ second signing of the summer transfer window. The 19-year-old defensive midfielder was signed from Barcelona B for a fee of €5 million, which includes a €10 and €15 million buy-out clause after
a year and two years, respectively. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 under-20 international arrives at Stamford Bridge on a long-term four year deal.
Romeu said while speaking to reporters:
“Chelsea is a great option for me.
Leaving Barca hurts, but you have to take your chances.”
While Romeu was sad about leaving the La Liga giants, he revealed he was looking forward to playing for the London side. With the price agreed between the sides about two weeks ago, the deal was concluded just yesterday. The player’s agent reportedly flew
out to where the player was in Columbia to finalize the deal, which will see Romeu with the Blues in the upcoming Premier League season.
The reason why Villas-Boas had to buy a defensive midfielder was the long-term injury http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 manager wants to have
adequate replacements for the first-team midfielder ahead of the new season.
Villas-Boas said in an interview:
“It is a part of the squad in which we are struggling with numbers because of Michael Essien's injury and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oriol-c28659 is a player with a bright future. He still has to evolve as a player.”
While Villas-Boas was aware the 19-year-old was still young and had to develop as a player, he was confident he would do well at his new club. Despite being injured, Romeu managed to make his place in the starting team and was a regular in the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604
B side that finished third last season. Villas-Boas is convinced the young midfielder has the potential to be a top player.
The Portuguese manager continued:
“The Barcelona B team had a magnificent year in the Spanish second division, they finished third.
Oriol had an injury during the season but he came back late on and was in time to play for the first team.
So he is one of the most promising young players in that position.”
Romeu is Chelsea’s second signing of the summer so far, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Racing-c40298 Genk goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois being the first. However, unlike Romeu, the young stopper was loaned out to Atletico Madrid so he could gain more first team experience, something Villas-Boas
could not guarantee at Stamford Bridge, seeing as how current goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Petr-Cech-c29837 is at the top of his game.
It is highly unlikely that the same will be the case with Romeu, who Villas-Boas intends to keep for next season. The youngster began his senior career with Barcelona B in 2008 and since then has gone on to make a total of 49 appearances for them. Last season
under manager Pep Guardiola, Romeu made two appearances for the senior Barcelona squad.
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