If I could infiltrate the mind of VfL Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, I would implant a message consisting of one word—Chelsea!
Numerous sources suggest that the reigning Bundesliga scoring champion and Bosnian International is about to leave struggling Wolfsburg for Manchester City at a transfer fee somewhere in the range of €40 million. Quite frankly, I cannot see how this deal would benefit either Dzeko or Manchester City.
Following a brilliant 2008-2009 season where he contributed 26 goals to Wolfsburg’s Bundesliga-winning campaign, Dzeko seemed primed to help his side contend for both domestic and European glory. However, despite scoring an impressive 28 goals in all competitions during the 2009-2010 season, Wolfsburg finished a disappointing eighth in the Bundesliga while failing to advance past the group stages of the Champions’ League.
Naturally disappointed by his team’s failure to compete amongst Europe’s elite clubs, Dzeko has sought a move away from the Volkswagen arena since the end of last season. However, his apparent decision to move to Eastlands seems to be more of a desperate attempt to secure top flight football instead of a well-planned career move.
Despite a number of suspect losses, Manchester City have performed quite well this season and currently sit second in table behind only city rivals Manchester United. At a superficial level, this move seems mutually beneficial—Dzeko would secure elite football and his efforts would ensure that City contends for both English Premier League and Champions’ League titles. Contrary to popular opinion, I doubt this would be the case.
In the City games which I have watched this season, manager Roberto Mancini’s attack generally consists of a single striker, two wings and an attacking midfielder who pushes forward to support the lone striker. Mancini has experimented with other tactical arrangements including a two-striker formation featuring Carlos Tevez on the right and Mario Balotelli on the left, but I don’t see how he could start three strikers.
If he purchases Dzeko, he would have no other choice.
As both the captain and the leading goal scorer, Tevez always commands a place in the starting lineup. Balotelli is still young, but after paying €24 million to secure his services this summer, Mancini would appear foolish not to start the 20-year-old. By paying Dzeko’s €40 million transfer fee, he would commit the Bosnian as the third striker in his starting 11.
Tevez and Balotelli have a wide range of skills that would allow them to play on either wing or as attacking midfielders, but the temperamental duo would be unlikely to embrace a move away from a more natural center forward role. Yet, even if Mancini could somehow convince them to operate the flanks to make room for Dzeko, he would have to move other high-price acquisitions such as James Milner and David Silva to the bench.
Considering the obvious weakness of a move to Eastlands, I am surprised that Dzeko has not publicly expressed an interest for the Premiership’s other Blues, Chelsea. Unlike City who have too many stars, Chelsea seem to have too few.
Since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich purchased the club in 2003, the London side has experienced immense success winning three Premier League titles and advancing to 2008 Champions’ League Final. However, Chelsea’s once formidable attack has slowed down remarkably this season as the aging attacking trio of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka has been constantly disrupted by injury.
Considering Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge seem ill-prepared to compensate for the repeated absences of their more prolific teammates, Dzeko would immediately be assigned a prominent offensive role. Drogba has already discussed the prospect of returning to his former club Marseille at the season’s conclusion, so Chelsea would do well to begin rebuilding their offense around the equally talented Dzeko.
Considering the Bosnian hitman is only 24-years-old, he could combine with talented young midfielders Michael Essien, Ramires and John Obi Mikel to sustain Chelsea’s brilliance well into the future. Unlike City, Chelsea could essentially guarantee that he would be the primary scoring option for at least the next six years.
Yet, despite a seemingly perfect opportunity to snatch a franchise player in the January transfer window, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti recently admitted that he is only in the market for a new defender. I can only hope that after reevaluating his squad, he has enough sense to at least pursue Dzeko. If nothing else, he may at least ensure that the talented marksman does not join Mancini’s “hegemonster.”
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