Monday, 2 February 2015

Chelsea have completed the signing of Colombia international Cuadrado.

The Colombia international has signed a four and half year deal and could make his Chelsea debut at Aston Villa this weekend.

The transfer was completed following Chelsea's sale of Germany World Cup winner Andre Schurrle to Wolfsburg but there was no mention of Mohamed Salah, who it was suggested might be moving to Fiorentina on loan as part of the deal.
Cuadrado played an eye-catching role in Colombia's run to the quarter finals at last summer's World Cup in Brazil, scoring in the 4-1 victory over Japan and contributing four assists, a tally only equalled by Germany's Toni Kroos.
He has since scored six goals in 23 appearances in Italy and the Chelsea website described their new signing as playing "predominantly behind a striker, but he is also comfortable on either flank. Pacy and agile, he is a purposeful attacking threat with an eye for the spectacular."
Cuadrado said: "I am very happy and thankful for this opportunity I’ve been given. 
"This is a great club and, honestly, it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me. I’m happy.
"The best part about this dream is that I'm going to be part of such a big club and that's huge motivation to perform well. I'm quick and positive and I have to show that to help my team-mates.
"It's really going to be brilliant to work with one of the best coaches anywhere in the world. I'm very proud to be playing for him and think he will make me a better player.
"We are a big club so we can win important things. Playing for this team, the league championship is I think the most important thing. As for everything else, Chelsea have big players so we want to win big things.
"Best wishes to all of the Chelsea fans. I hope to perform for them in the best possible way and I hope we can achieve a lot of things together."
Cuadrado has been capped 37 times by Colombia, scoring on five occasions.
He came to prominence with Independiente Medellin in Colombia and then played for Udinese and Lecce in Italy before joining Fiorentina in July 2012.
Sky Sports expert Thierry Henry said: “I think the Chelsea fans will be delighted with this news and I can’t wait to see him in the Premier League.
“I like the fact he is not scared. He won’t shy away from anything and that is the type of player you want at your club. That’s a great move for Chelsea.”
And Jamie Redknapp added: “I think Schurrle made a reasonable impact at Chelsea but I think this guy has a little bit more about him.
“A bit more skill, he can offer shots from distance, he can dribble with the ball.”
culled from skysport

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