21 G/A machine the perfect player for Chelsea to break their model for | OneFootball

Raphinha is having a career year at Barcelona. He’s now up to a sensational 15 goals and 9 assists in 30 La Liga games this season, a simply superb return which reflects how important he’s been to the Blaugrana‘s excellent season.

Yet it still feels like Barcelona might consider selling him. Their financial situation is such that selling an asset at the peak of their value might actually be desirable, even if it hurts the team in the short term.

It wouldn’t go down well with fans, but it would do a huge amount to help them dig them out of the hole they’re in. They aren’t going to manage that just with prize money or TV revenue, there will have to be some major sales, and perhaps selling one big player now would be better for them than trying to claw back into the black with piecemeal sales of less valuable assets.

Chelsea could change pattern of project to make major leap forward

Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)

That’s for them to decide – the question is how Chelsea will test their resolve. We know the Blues wanted him before he moved to Catalonia – would they return for him now? The links are there, that’s for sure.

It would go against their model of signing mainly players under 23, but it’s a very tempting prospect. A player who has shown good form in the Premier League before, an experienced and productive player to star on the wing and be a dressing room leader.

Just as Barcelona might have to sacrifice some short term benefit to give themselves a stronger base, Chelsea might want to go the other way and help their team in the immediate at the expense of some wages and resale value.