Jese (Real Madrid)
Just when Jese looked like he was ready to become a world-beater, he suffered a cruciate ligament injury that kept him sidelined for over eight months last year. That is obviously the main concern, especially given the troubles we have had with Daniel Sturridge this season. But if he can stay fit, there is no denying that he could become one of the best players in the Premier League. He is suffering at the Bernabeu as opportunities are scarce with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo just two of the quality names ahead of him. He is obviously not at their level yet, but it is unlikely that even when he is, he will get a fair chance, as Madrid will prefer to see their big-money signings flourish. Their loss should be our gain.
He has experience playing the false nine role in the side, which could benefit some of the attacking players in the side, as he can create gaps in opposition defence for the likes of Coutinho and Adam Lallana to exploit.
Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg)
The 23-year-old is one of the examples of Chelsea’s transfer policy coming back to haunt them. Over the years, they have bought several talented youngsters, who they deem – normally correctly – not good enough for the Blues side, then send out on loan and watch their value rocket, before selling them on for major profit. While he’s an ambitious target, De Bruyne is the kind of player that we should target at the start of the summer. It may just pay off.
De Bruyne has been incredible for Wolfsburg this year. His goal tally of 10 strikes for a winger would be impressive enough, but when you factor in that he got 20 – yes 20 – assists, it should mean that as unrealistic as signing him would be, we have to make sure that we try. After the way he was treated at Stamford Bridge, there is probably nothing he would love more than to come back and haunt those who wrote him off at the club.
With the Sterling windfall, we’d be able to afford him, too.