Into The Blue

What will it take to get David Villa at Stamford Bridge?

A Spanish manager? Check. A Spanish striking partner? Check. A wealthy owner that can bankroll positive results and afford to hand out a lucrative long-term contract? Check.

Chelsea has become the latest club that are reported to be inquiring about the availability of Villa, with Barcelona looking eager to sell to the highest bidder, though, a permanent move away from the Camp Nou is probably unlikely in January—unless Roman Abramovich makes an offer that is impossible to refuse. Any money earned in the Villa sale would be used towards purchasing Neymar from Santos, the prime Barca target,

From the outside, the move looks to be smart business for both parties involved.

Villa would make a ferocious pairing with Fernando Torres, the duo have played well together for the Spanish national team and would need minimal time to get acquainted. The shape of the team would need to change, as Rafa Benitez has continued to play a lone striker formation since his arrival, and Villa would need assurances before agreeing to a move. 

Either one of Eden Hazard, Oscar or Juan Mata might have to take a seat to make room should Villa move to the Bridge. My guess it wouldn't be Mata or Oscar that would shift to the bench, both of their form has stayed consistent in the Benitez rein. Hazard has been hot and cold, which could easily make him the odd man out. Competition for places is precisely what might be needed.

Villa is clearly not happy at Barcelona—having missed the majority of last season through injury, he returned to a team that has moved in a different direction tactically, making his minutes scarce. The striker has only started six matches in La Liga this season, with another six appearances from the bench.  Despite being minimally used by Barcelona thus far, Villa will not be sold just because he's unhappy.

A loan deal makes more sense at this stage of the season, with a permanent deal happening in the summer. Chelsea has the cash to facilitate a sale, and proven not to be shy in making a huge splash during the winter transfer window. With Torres resurrecting his game under Benitez and finding the net on a more consistent basis--a cash and swap deal with Atletico Madrid for Radamel Falcao is unlikely.

That leaves Villa as the main target for Benitez's Blue's.