Lavezzi links good news for Chelsea’s hopes of signing midfielder

Manchester City are in the process of showing that a team can function in a 4-3-3 formation without a recognised holding midfielder and this is the route that Jose Mourinho seemingly has plotted out at Chelsea, given the links with Fredy Guarin.

Yaya Toure and Fernandinho remain a partnership in progress in the heart of the Man City midfield, but both are at their most effective breaking at speed, drawing opponents out of space and generally showing box-to-box energy.

Chelsea already have Ramires with a similar skill-set, but have often had a more laboured presence alongside him, with John Obi Mikel not typically advancing too far ahead of the half-way line and Frank Lampard adapting his game with age.

Guarin has shown at Inter Milan that he is at his best when allowed to burst forward at speed.

For all of the Chelsea’s creative forces in their attacking midfield ranks, someone to drive the team forward from the deeper positions would be an asset and is one area where the squad could be strengthened.

Should some strengthening be done in January, Chelsea’s current odds of 4/1 to win the Premier League could look exceedingly on the large side.

There has been speculation that some of Inter’s top directors have flown to London and the interest from Chelsea in defender Andrea Ranocchia would mean further talks between the two parties.

With Inter also thought to be admirers in Mikel, there is the added possibility of some type of swap deal taking place.

However, even though Inter are the top scorers in Serie A this season, their top transfer target is PSG’s Argentine frontman Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Selling Guarin may be necessary to fund such a move, despite the fact he averages more shots per game than any other Inter player this season.