Chelsea close to securing Barcelona youngster Oriol Romeu, Andre Villas-Boas confirms
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas confirmed that the English Premier League giants were close to signing the 19-year-old Barcelona defensive midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Essien-c25294 picked up a
long-term six month injury, ruling him out for the beginning of the next campaign.
While the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 had reached an agreement with the La Liga side, they had yet to finalize the personal terms with the players, which would be done after the Spaniard passed his medical. Romeu is currently on international
duty with the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 under-20 side, who will take on Columbia in the World Cup.
Andre Villas-Boas said while speaking to reporters, “I wouldn't like to share a lot because he is not (yet) our player.”
Villas-Boas revealed he was extremely pleased with having reached an agreement over the young holding midfielder, he described Romeu as
“one of the most interesting, bright young players in the number six position.”
Villas-Boas said he would have signed Romeu even if Essien had not picked up the long-term injury. The 28-year-old Ghanaian has been a crucial part of the Blues over the past seasons, despite his injury riddled career at Stamford Bridge. However, the recent
injury that he sustained has sidelined him when Chelsea need him the most, for the beginning of the new season.
It is for this reason that Villas-Boas has brought in the youngster, a possible short-term and long-term replacement for Essien, depending on his performance of course. The Portuguese manager continued:
“You know that it is a fact that we are struggling with numbers, not only after Michael's injury, but we wanted to bring in players in those positions.”
Villas-Boas revealed he had made the right decision by bringing in the Spaniard defensive midfielder, who has been very impressive since beginning his senior career with the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 B team in 2008. After three years with Barcelona B, Romeu made his debut
for the first team in the 2010-2011 season. Villas-Boas said: “Oriol is a player, of course, with a bright future. He still has to evolve.”
During his time with Barcelona B, Romeu made 49 appearances in all competitions and scored 1 goal in three seasons. He played an essential role in leading his side to the Spanish League and Spanish Supercup in the 2010-2011 season. The Blues have reportedly
agreed to a deal worth £4.5million for the Barcelona youngster.
Chelsea beat London rivals http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 to sign Romeu, with the Gunners manager Arsene Wenger having shown interest in the Spain under-20 international last year. However, the Frenchman made no official offer and now the Blues look to win the race to securing
Romeu’s signature in the current summer transfer window.
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