Chelsea have told Arsenal to offer up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Theo Walcott if they want to sign Petr Cech, according to The Sun.
It seems Chelsea are resigned to losing Cech this summer and now want to get the best out of his situation – that could see an Arsenal player move the other way.
‘A source’ reportedly told The Sun that Mourinho believes he can make Walcott or Chamberlain ‘top players again’. Well whilst that comment could fit with Walcott, it hardly does with Chamberlain.
Before his injury problems this year, Chamberlain had become a regular in the Arsenal team. His performances, bar one or two, were very encouraging. Also I’m not sure he had ever reached the status of being called a ‘top player’ yet.
Another issue with this story is surely Chamberlain’s value is much higher than Walcott, who is considerably older and has just one year remaining on his current contract.
There’s no mention as to whether Arsenal are interested in the proposed swap deal in the original story.
If this odd story were true though, I’d have little issue in sending Walcott to Chelsea in exchange for Cech and some cash. We desperately need someone like Cech and have done for years, if sacrificing Walcott is what it takes then we should do it. There plenty of better players than Walcott we can find this summer, but none perfect as Cech are available.