Alves Would Have a Huge Impact on Chelsea

In what may be the most significant transfer of this season, Chelsea appear poised to secure the services of Sevilla fullback and Brazilian international Daniel Alves. Despite being under contract to Sevilla until 2012, the multi-talented Alves, 24, recently stated publicly that he would like to explore the options available to him with larger, more prominent clubs, namely Chelsea. On Wednesday, in Spanish newspaper Marca, Alves said of a possible move to Chelsea: “I wan to try. Out of respect to me they have to do it. I have behaved well for four and a half years and I ask Sevilla to also behave well and evaluate an offer.” Any deal for Alves is likely to exceed £20 million ($40 million).

For those unfamiliar with Daniel Alves, he is one of the most multi-dimensional defenders in world football, not only able to play his natural fullback position, but also capable of stepping into the role of an attacking winger as well as sliding forward into a central midfield role. Alves has been more than just an individual standout- he’s been a vital member of some successful teams. With Alves playing a key role, Sevilla has won the 2006 and 2007 UEFA Cup championships (Alves was the UEFA Cup MVP in 2006) and the 2007 Copa del Rey in Spain. In addition to his club successes, Daniel Alves has won at the international level as well.

On July 15, in Brazil title-clinching 3-0 victory over Argentina in the 2007 Copa America final, his versatility was on full display. In just his ninth international appearance for his country, Alves not only assisted on one of Brazil’s first half goals, he put the game out of reach in the second half with a powerful strike to the far post after making a beautiful run down right side of the pitch.

Given his versatility and style of play, Alves is an excellent fit at Stamford Bridge for two reasons. First, teaming Alves with defenders John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole, as well as Michael Essien and Claude Makélélé, Chelsea’s talented, defensive-minded midfielder, should give Chelsea the most talented defensive unit in the Premiership. Second, Alves’ affinity for attacking football will help Chelsea play a much aesthetically pleasing brand of football than in recent seasons, bringing a smile to the extremely wealthy face of Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s billionaire owner, who craves not only victory, but beautiful football.