Marten de Roon has been linked with a move to Chelsea
According to the Daily Express (h/t Football.London), Chelsea have identified Atalanta midfielder, Marten de Roon, as a cheaper alternative to reported top target Declan Rice.
The Blues were priced out of a move for the England international by West Ham during the summer window but still retain an interest in re-signing their former academy reject. Frank Lampard’s side could make a renewed attempt to secure his services in January or next summer. (h/t The Independent)
However, a shortlist of potential alternatives has already been drawn up at Stamford Bridge and De Roon’s potential availability on a free transfer in 2021 has put Chelsea on red alert.
Marten de Roon shot to prominence with Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch second-tier before making his mark in the Eredivisie with Heerenveen. The defensive midfielder joined Atalanta in 2015 after making more than 100 appearances for Heerenveen across all competitions.
Despite enjoying a successful debut season in Italy, the 29-year-old made the move to newly-promoted Premier League club Middlesbrough in 2016. De Roon featured 33 times in the Premier League for the Teessiders, scoring 4 goals, but couldn’t save them from relegation back down to the Championship.
De Roon rejoined Atalanta in 2017 following Boro’s relegation and went on to play a key role as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side finished a record 3rd in the 2018-19 Serie A and secured qualification to the Champions League. The Dutchman was one of the cornerstones of Atalanta’s march to the quarter-final of Europe’s elite club competition last season.
A full international for the Netherlands since 2016, de Roon has earned 18 caps for his nation and has featured in both editions of the UEFA Nations League so far.
Chelsea have been left frustrated in their efforts to bring Declan Rice back to the club, with West Ham refusing to budge on their mammoth £80m asking price for the youngster. Such an audacious valuation of Rice is a clear indication that the Hammers are not interested in selling their prized asset.
Also, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense for Chelsea to break the bank on a defensive midfielder in January or next summer. The Blues have already forked out several millions of pounds to bolster their squad with top-quality players like Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, and Hakim Ziyech, and another significant outlay on Rice could have a negative impact on the club’s financial situation.
In fact, Chelsea don’t need to spend that kind of money on Rice when they have already got quality options like N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic in the middle of the park. Jorginho’s future had been the subject of widespread speculation in the summer amid interest from Juventus, but the vice-captain remains very much a part of Lampard’s plans after staying put in West London.
It can’t, however, be denied that Jorginho has often struggled to make a big impact in English football, evoking criticism from fans and pundits alike. The Italian lacks the pace and the physical attributes to shield the backline effectively, with Jorginho’s disastrous display in the 5-3 loss against Liverpool last season being a prime example of his flaws.
Marten de Roon, to that end, would be a smart addition to Chelsea’s midfield ranks. The Dutchman’s English sojourn ended disastrously with Middlesbrough’s relegation back in 2017 but it’s imperative to say that he was one of the standout performers despite his club’s struggles in the top-flight.
De Roon has accumulated 380 club career appearances over the course of his top-flight career in Holland, Italy, and England while also establishing himself as a regular starter at the international level in recent years.
The defensive midfielder also proved his credentials in the Champions League last season, suggesting that he is ready to embrace a bigger challenge at a heavyweight club like Chelsea.
The imminent availability of Marten de Roon on a free transfer next summer presents an excellent market opportunity for Chelsea to strengthen their defensive midfield ranks without having to spend a fortune on Declan Rice.
The Dutchman certainly has the quality and the experience to provide Lampard with some extra cover and competition for places in the middle while his previous playing experience in the Premier League should allow him to settle down quickly and make an instant impact.
De Roon still has a lot to offer despite nearing 30 and Chelsea could land themselves a massive bargain if they manage to bring him to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer.