The deadline day addition of Raul Meireles from Liverpool will add a crucial link between the defensive midfield and the attack for Andre Villas-Boas’s side, perhaps not seen since Michael Essien’s best years for the Blues.
Meireles was Roy Hodgson’s lone bright spot during his ill-fated spell with the Reds, and his addition from Porto last summer proved to be a success, with the midfield maestro playing a crucial role in reversing Liverpool’s early season slump once Kenny Dalglish took over.
Meireles contributed 5 goals and 5 assists, and was able to both protect the back four and play a pass to unlock the defence to spark counter-attacks from a deep-lying role. John Obi Miklel has proved to be a reliable defensive midfielder, able to play the role of midfield disruptor quite well. But for all his defensive qualities, the Nigerian has struggled to contribute on the counter and in pressing play, and is seen by many supporters as a bit one dimensional. To date, he has still yet to score for Chelsea since joining the capital club in 2006.
Meireles, on the other hand, is a strong defensive player who can throw in tackles and break up attacks, but has a penchant for scoring goals, and is a ready made component of his countryman’s tactical system. He is the complete player needed to enhance Chelsea’s midfield and team as a whole.
Josh McEachran (18 years old) and Oriol Romeu (19) may also be adept at this role, but Meireles has experience at the highest level, having made 47 senior appearances for Portugal, and winning the league 4 times in a row during his time with Porto. His arrival at Stamford Bridge likely means that Villas-Boas, his manager while at Porto, sees him as an essential part of Chelsea’s plan to take back the title and challenge for the Champions League, a missing piece if you will.
Manchester remains the early favorite to house the trophy this year, but with a new philosophy and renewed optimism, it would be foolish to count out the SW6 outfit in the title race.
DAVIE
September 2, 2011 at 11:44 am
Who cares.
Imran
September 2, 2011 at 11:46 am
What a laugh!
When he was a Liverpool player he was crap apparently! Now he’s in the blue shirt he’s the best thing since sliced bread!
Grow up Chelski supporters!
blue4ever
September 2, 2011 at 12:39 pm
firstly he was the player along with some others who step up to save Liverpool’s ass during the later half of the season 2010/2011 and also he was the PFA player
of Liverpool fans choice and secondly it is CHELSEA not chelski dumbo ….
JWB
September 2, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Just laugh it off mate… Liverfool will always have problem with Chelsea since Torres chose better club. As their famous tagline goes – ‘You’ll never walk alone’. They will never leave Torres alone and will never forgive him hence will always have problem with the Blues.
lol hahaha
September 2, 2011 at 4:20 pm
lololol loserpool fan…no champions league soccer…not even qualified for europa league..nothing to cheer about since 2006…i can understand ur frustration after a hard day of living in the past…ynwa-you ll never win anything..
nicky
September 2, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Liverpool is the past…if a very good footballer in liverpool squad they will become average footballer….Liverpool dont know how to play attacking footnall…no champion league…what a joke want to compare to chelsea..daydreaming…hahahahaha
Andy
September 2, 2011 at 5:49 pm
5
Zachary
September 3, 2011 at 3:43 am
last time liverpool won the champion league is in 2005 … when is the last time chealsea win the champion league????
naseer
September 3, 2011 at 11:38 am
2012
abc
September 2, 2011 at 11:53 am
meireles is not a defensive player…
there was a reason why he never played in CM under kenny dalglish,he cannot tackle…
Aaron
September 3, 2011 at 1:03 am
Which is why he was second in the squad last season in tackles. Get off the pot – you have no clue.
Bill
September 2, 2011 at 11:59 am
He was not crap at liverpool under Dalglish he was not great with Dodgson who didn’t have a clue where to play him or anyone else come to that.
Jono
September 2, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Agree with ABC, To say that he is ‘a strong defensive player who can throw in tackles and break up attacks’ couldn’t be further from the truth. He is a decent creative midfielder nothing more.
Andy
September 2, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Raul is a decent creative player, who is capable. He wont break up play, he wont throw in tackles or defend, his pace is questionable. At 28, he does bring “youth” to an ageing squad. It would appear Chelsea have bought a squad player from Livepool, who fits into the first team at Chelsea – raises the question, who has the better squad.
JF
September 2, 2011 at 2:16 pm
That’s not really a question. We always finish above you and will do again. You’ve bought mid-table players, how appropriate!
Andy
September 2, 2011 at 5:46 pm
I question the “always” as simile we all question the lack of history. Chelsea have only started to finish (sometimes) above Liverpool after significant investment. Now Liverpool has finally invested in the club, let’s see who’s more successful. I’m also sure Liverpool appreciates the £67m received in the past 14 months, which has effectively restructured the squad.
Sam
September 3, 2011 at 2:49 am
Since 03 liverpool has finished above chelsea exactly one time. So “sometimes” finishing above liverpool is wishful thinking.
indeed, let’s see who’s more successful come seasons end. Going by the past decade , one would have to think (I know) Chelsea will come out on top.
Harvey
September 2, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Spot on “Jono”, a decent midfielder that’s all….good enough to be a backup!
Emmanuel
September 2, 2011 at 12:55 pm
We the blues fan love him so all u man utd fan dont be jeolous.
Ash
September 2, 2011 at 1:05 pm
“to date he is still yet to score for Chelsea since joining in 2006”-
He has scored twice for Chelsea, one against Macclesfield in a 6-1 in the fa cup, then again in the next round against Nottingham forest!!!
Other than that a solid article and for a cheap 12 million I am looking forward to what he can do for Chelsea!!
na wezz
September 2, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Hes good enough to me .hes a multipurpose player.stop criticizin him.
Amos
September 2, 2011 at 1:31 pm
A good addition to chelsea squad, energetic and creative, can wait to see him play in chelsea jersey.
Salako John
September 2, 2011 at 2:17 pm
I dnt understand why media criticize mikel alot. He has been fanastic since 2006. How many goals did makelele score for madrid and chelsea
Simon
September 2, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Interesting dev’ts guys! Keep it up but no foul language. I believe in Mereiless!
Ikanna
September 2, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Raul meireles is a creative midfielder He has passing ability and scoring senses.i like him.up blues
niyeric9518
September 2, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Like him or hate,he is going to be great player for chelsea and bring creativity to our midfied
Ebere Famous
September 2, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Some people re just fools forever.how would u criticize a player and even reduce him to dust.Are u more professional than the coach who bought him?Even d money used in buying d player is not yours.Whether Raul Meireles can play or not,leave him alone.U ve started again with Meireles,dis is exactly what happened when Torres came to Chelsea.Andrea Villa-Boas has managed meireles before and as such knows what is good for chelsea.i want to sincerely advise to go hug transformer nearest to u if u dont like us.
Gregory
September 2, 2011 at 4:23 pm
the guy is good in his position on the pitch. All anti-mikel should go 2 bed wen eva mikel is on the pitch to play.Coz they don’t know how 2 watch good football. Bluz 4 eternity.
Gregory
September 2, 2011 at 4:29 pm
the guy is good in his position on the pitch. For him not scoring goals enough 4 his criticism. Bluz 4 eternity.
Gregory
September 2, 2011 at 4:33 pm
the guy is good in his position on the pitch. For him not scoring goals is not enough 4 his criticism. Bluz 4 eternity.
E'lnino
September 2, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Worst of luck for the guy.
Goodman
September 2, 2011 at 11:12 pm
I wish him best of luck.
Goodman
September 2, 2011 at 11:28 pm
I wish him best of luck guy.up blue!