Rooney, Lewandowski or Falcao: Just to name a few strikers that Chelsea has been linked with recently. Not a new player appeared more than a week ago in connection with Chelsea again in the English media. It’s the longhaired Uruguayan scoring-machine, Edinson Cavani. The Napoli fans idolize him in a way like they did to one of the greatest footballing legend, Diego Maradona. Rooney’s intention to leave United got most of the attention of the media, but apparently according to ‘Metro’ or ‘Express’, Chelsea is trying to closing in on a deal for the £42.5m-rated striker for Napoli. He is beside Falcao probably the most expensive striker-option.
(Note: I started this article a week ago, but Cavani to Chelsea isn’t very likely anymore as City is in pole position to sign him. This article should hopefully still give you an idea of how “El Matador” plays.)
Biography
Born in Salto (14th of February 1987, age 26), Cavani started his career at the youth of Danubio FC. He played his first senior game for Danubio in 2005 and he stayed there for another two years before joining Palermo for €4.5m. He was often used as a left-forward together with Miccoli at Palermo, scoring 34 goals in 109 games. After being part of a successful season for Palermo in 2009/2010, Cavani signed with Napoli for a total fee of €17m. He continued to impress in Italy and he made a name for himself in Europe by strong performances in the Champions League, reaching together with Napoli a place in the last 16 last year.
Cavani played 47 games and scored 13 goals for Uruguay. He was part of the World Cup 2010 (4th place) and the Olympic squad 2012. He has also won the Copa America in 2011.
Position/Style of play
Cavani is a born striker who can play on both wings. The numerous cut inside style by the other frontmen (Lavezzi (now PSG), Pandev and often also Hamsik) from Napoli sometimes forced Cavani out on the wings. However, Cavani’s movement, finishing quality and strengths to hold the ball are typical for a striker. He has also shared place as a left forward, but he’s by miles strongest as a centre forward because of his positioning and instincts.
His immense popularity in Naples isn’t only justified by his fighting spirit, workrate or passion; he also scores multiple goals against big opponents (e.g. a hattrick versus Inter, Lazio or Roma this season, Ac Milan last season) or goals in important games (e.g. City or Chelsea in the last Champions League campaign).
Strengths
Clinical Finisher
Cavani is an excellent finisher with both of his feet, but his greatest asset is his head. He’s magnificent in the air due to his strength and powerful jump (I don’t need to mention his goal against Chelsea last season, he even scored with his chest there).
Movement
I noted before that Cavani is born striker/centre forward. He’s got the instinct to be at the right place at the right time, his movement and positioning giving him an advantage to create good chances for himself. He has also got a very good pace to break away from the defence and be very dangerous at counters.
Stamina
Tireless Worker. No better way to explain him. It’s fair enough to say that Cavani is the most hardworking striking when it comes to defending. It doesn’t harm him to track back. He’ll chase down a player even to his own box, and he doesn’t stop doing it the whole game.
Weaknesses
Passing
He isn’t as involved as for example Messi or Lewandowski are in the game of the own team. This results from a rather imprecise passing and for a worldclass player decent technique and dribbling.
Inconsistency
Cavani is a hard-running and diligent worker, but he occasionally ‘disappears’ in a game. He can score goals out of nothing from his passivity, but he mostly isn’t present in the attack if he has a bad day . Someday, he can score a hattrick and on others, he can’t produce any danger in front of goal. He looks a bit exhausted at times and this might be explained by Mazzarri’s (former Napoli coach) lack of rotation. You can see similar sort of inconsistency at RVP sometimes.
Striker Dilemma
The striker discussion, a never-ending story. Lukaku had an outstanding spell at WBA and he scored a hattrick versus Manchester United in Fergie’s last game. Torres scored a goal in the Europa League final and against Everton lately. If a new striker is signed (whether it’s Cavani, Falcao, Lewandowski or else who), one has to go for sure. I don’t except Ba to leave as he just joined us in winter. Both Torres leaving Chelsea and/or Lukaku to be loaned out for another year is likely, so a new striker to be signed this summer is very possible.
Conclusion
A real finisher with great contribution to the game: Cavani is certainly a good option to solve our striker-dilemma. His age (26) isn’t a problem in my eye as he definitely can perform on a high level for 5-6 years, while Falcao isn’t younger either. The only thing I really dislike about a transfer from Cavani is obvious: his monstrous price. The money giants City and Real Madrid are interested to sign Cavani too, so I don’t except anything below £45m. “El Matador“ cost too much in my view and that’s the (only) reason why I wouldn’t take him (while I’m really thinking that Lukaku is ready to play for Chelsea).
Is Cavani worth so much money? Which striker would you sign? What is your opinion on Cavani? Leave me your thoughts in the comment! Jonny (@jonny9fan)
All the more I think that we attacker fit all the more I think that would be a better solution Edison Cavani or robert Lewandowski !
It will not be a bad idea if chelsea decides to buy Edison Cavani, he does the job of a typical pointman perfectly. Ba can stay, i will nt encourage chelsea to keep Elnino bt Lukaku should be given a chance in the blue shirt
I like cavani as a striker bt i belueve his price is too much we rather go for lewdonski as he will be cheaper and is evn younger. Another thing will be lewdonski can will hav a resale price due to his age. The most important thing though will be cavani’s inconistancy we cant really hav torres ( who we dnt like coz of incosistancy) and cavani 2 of da most costly strikers who arent consistent. In which case the purchase wont make any sense. I rather hav lukaku cald baq as he is almost the same and he needs to be given a chance or else we wll loose him as we cnt kjust expect him to keep waitin fr his chance to be given
good write up. I believe if we sign him, he will play with his heart for us.
I will welcome Bony or Lewandowski dan any other strikers.da r cheap and till young and da r doing gre8t tins at their age. I believe in dam n Lukaku.