According to Sky Sports News, Barcelona have made a second bid for Chelsea’s Willian, believed to be worth around £53 million.

Barcelona appear to be pushing even harder to bring Willian to the Camp Nou, and Chelsea would be best served by taking all the money they can get for the Brazilian and investing in an exciting replacement.

Willian has been brilliant for Chelsea, but the funds raised from his sale, added to Chelsea’s own wealth, could well be enough to land one of the most exciting talents in European football. 

The Breakdown

Transfermarkt value James Rodriguez at £63 million, suggests the money earned from Willian’s departure would come close to covering the initial cost of the Colombian. 

Given that Real Madrid were happy to let the 27-year-old go out on loan last season to Bayern Munich, it can be assumed they’d be open to a sale if a good offer were to be made.

James was in excellent form in Germany, and Bayern themselves may look to make his switch to the Allianz Arena a permanent one. Chelsea should challenge them for his signature though, as the attacker would bring so much to Stamford Bridge.

Last season, so much of the creative burden was placed upon Willian and Eden Hazard. James would be capable of picking up where Willian left off. 

The Real Madrid man is a much more natural number 10 than Willian, and his influence could be transformative to the way the Blues play. A change in style at Stamford Bridge could be in order after the club’s disappointing last campaign and the subsequent sacking of manager Antonio Conte (via the Telegraph).

James could be the new man for the new era, and the arrival of such a high profile star may even help keep the likes of Hazard at the club. 

After the disappointment that would follow the loss of Willian, the Colombian would be the perfect pick-me-up for the club, the players and the fans.