Chelsea linked with Denis ‘new Iniesta’ Suarez, Sandro ‘new Pirlo’ Tonali

International breaks tend to generate even more transfer rumors than the football media’s daily quota mandates during the regular season, especially in the last one before the January transfer window, so here are a couple names with whom Chelsea have been recently linked.

DENIS SUAREZ

The 24-year-old “heir to Iniesta” has barely featured this season, after collecting 63 appearances over the course of the last two years for Barcelona. Earlier, Suarez had spent two unhappy years in the Manchester City youth and reserves as well, but left almost as soon as he had arrived due to lack of opportunities. Sounds familiar.

According to Marca (who tend to favor Barca’s main rivaals, Real) teams are lining for a chance at Suarez, let by the likes of Chelsea, Napoli, or even Valencia. Suarez only has two years left on his current contract and if Barcelona are indeed willing to sell, there should be suitors aplenty.

SANDRO TONALI

Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images

Meanwhile, in fair Italia, a new long-haired contender emerges for the Andre Pirlo-throne. His name is Robert Paulson Kylo Ren Sandro Tonali and apparently he’s highly rated, to the tune of €20-35m+ at a tender age of just 18. In fact, in a move akin to Mason Mount’s call-up to the England squad, Tonali has been included in the Italy squad by manager Roberto Mancini despite playing only Serie B football.

Tonali was previously linked with mostly Italian teams (including Juventus first and foremost), but the net is widening and Chelsea are in it, alongside Emenalo’s Monaco.

It’s highly doubtful that either of these throwaway stories develop into anything significant, but you never know in football. Chelsea do have some aging midfielders, including first and foremost, Cesc Fabregas, and the future of Mateo Kovacic beyond this season isn’t guaranteed, so reinforcements could be on the agenda for the summer.