Chelsea have done the right thing by offloading Mario Pasalic (Getty Images)
Chelsea midfielder Mario Pasalic has signed for Atalanta BC on a permanent transfer after the Italian club decided to activate the option to buy in his loan deal. He has been sold for £13.5m. The Croatian midfielder has made over 30 appearances for the club this season, scoring 7 goals and assisting 7.
The midfielder has been a part of Chelsea club for 6 years but made no senior team appearances, spending all the six years on loan.
The player had signed for Atalanta BC on a two-year loan deal, helping them finish 3rd in the league in his first year at the club and secure Champions League football. Pasalic was instrumental for Atalanta as they secured their first-ever qualification to the Champions League.
This season, he has improved further and has helped the side as they sit in 4th place, six points clear of 5th placed AS Roma. They also remain alive in the Champions League. Following two good seasons for the club, the midfielder has now penned down a permanent deal with the Italian club.
It has been six years since Pasalic signed for the Blues from Croatian side Hajduk Split. He has since marked his presence in France, Spain, Russia and Italy, on loan at various clubs. Pasalic has definitely grown and improved, and has a place in the heart of Atalanta BC’s midfield.
Chelsea should have taken a punt on the Croatian. However, Chelsea are well stacked in the midfield and this opportunity to sell him comes as a very good business. The player signed a new contract with the Blues last summer and this meant Chelsea could get a good fee for a player who they bought for very little and didn’t have to pay much as he was out on loan.
The player was a good talent and had shown what he was capable of. But for Chelsea now, this has proved to be a great time to sell him and make a profit.
The player could have been a decent addition to the Chelsea squad and could have provided them with depth. The player has shown great awareness in his years at Atalanta and can be great box-to-box midfielder.
Pašalić has become a vital player in the Atalanta team and that meant an offer was coming Chelsea’s way. An offer Chelsea couldn’t refuse for a player who hasn’t made a single appearance for the senior side.
The player would have definitely been a decent addition to Chelsea had they decided to use the player. But the team was also right in letting the player go. The player has been playing regularly and has reached an important stage of his career. Hence, this sale comes across as a win-win for all the parties involved.
