Out goes one World Cup star, and in comes another. Such is the life at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea sold Andre Schurrle to Wolfsburg on Monday before making the long-rumored move for Fiorentina attacker Juan Cuadrado official.
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Schurrle made Chelsea $36 million on Monday after spending $27 million on him in 2013. The Blues then quickly splashed $40 million on Cuadrado.
Cuadrado scored in Colombia’s 4-1 win over Japan at World Cup. He has 4 goals 17 Serie A appearances this season after ringing up a career-best 11 in 2013-14.Upon signing, he said: ‘I am very happy and thankful for this opportunity I’ve been given. This is a great club and honestly it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me. I’m happy.’
The attacking midfielder arrives at Stamford Bridge after five-and-a-half years in Italy, first with Udinese before switching to Fiorentina in 2012 after a loan spell at Lecce.
Cuadrado plays predominantly behind a striker, but he is also comfortable on either flank. Pacy and agile, he is a purposeful attacking threat with an eye for the spectacular.
For whatever reason, Schurrle didn’t fit Jose Mourinho’s plans at Chelsea. Some have speculated that his skill set is too similar to Willian and did not provide any change for Mourinho, but this is certainly a risk. It will not be a surprise to see Schurrle succeed back in the Bundesliga, while Cuadrado has yet to feature in the Premier League.
Who would you rather have: Schurrle or Cuadrado?
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