Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has made it clear in recent weeks that he wants further signings before the transfer window slams shut and it seems the Blues are set to complete a major signing in the final few days of the window.
Widespread reports indicate that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is due to arrive from London rivals Arsenal to add some depth to a squad that has looked depleted following a wealth of summer departures, in a deal that would also hand a huge dent to the Gunners.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled for form and fitness during his six years at the Emirates Stadium but seems to have turned a corner in recent months, becoming a regular started at the back end of last season and the opening games of the new campaign.
The England international sees his best position as a central midfielder but has found a new lease of life at wing-back at Arsenal and a move to Chelsea doesn’t seem like it would provide central opportunities to the former Southampton man, instead seeing him likely to continue at wing-back.
Chelsea have star-man N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park alongside new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko and there’s plenty of rumours suggesting that Danny Drinkwater will arrive from Leicester City. On top of that, there’s still the small matter of former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas battling for a central spot.
This makes it difficult to state that Oxlade-Chamberlain has moved across London purely for the benefit of being played in his natural position and it instead likely comes down to a desire to win trophies and play in the Champions League, which is a huge blow for the Gunners.
The concern for Chelsea is whether Oxlade-Chamberlain can finally find the consistency that evaded him during his years with Arsenal and whether he can fully kick-on to fulfil his full potential, which will take a lot of work.
It does at least give Chelsea additional depth in a right wing-back role, providing competition to Nigerian ace Victor Moses, and the battle for first-team football should bring the best out of both players.