Chelsea miss explained as scout admits £26m ace could have joined Blues, now he's open to Arsenal
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By his own admission, a potential move to Premier League giants Chelsea following the 2018 World Cup would have brought about plenty of potential pitfalls.
Speaking at the time, shortly after one of the breakout stars of the Russian World Cup secured a £26 million switch to one of Europe’s major leagues, Aleksandr Golovin opened up on his decision to rebuff Chelsea’s advances.
Golovin admitted that he had concerns over the language barrier, not to mention the considerable step up from CSKA Moscow to one of the most high-profile clubs in England’s top-flight.
What’s more, with Eden Hazard, Pedro, Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley and Matteo Kovacic already at Chelsea’s disposal at the time, a regular first-team role was far from guaranteed for Golovin at Stamford Bridge either.
Now, speaking to Russian publication Sport 24, former CSKA Moscow scout Anton Chistyakov has offered a peak behind the curtain into the deal that would have taken the now-Monaco playmaker to West London.
Aleksandr Golovin was a target for Chelsea before Monaco move
Chistyakov believes that the connections between CSKA chief Yevgeny Giner and then-Chelsea honcho Roman Abrahamovic initially opened the door.
But an eventual move to France has not worked out too badly for. Hailed for his pace, awareness and excellent vision, Golovin remains one of Monaco’s headline talents half-a-decade on.
“He could [have signed for Chelsea],” Chistyakov recalls. “And there was interest from Dortmund too.
“With Chelsea, I believe, everything was at the level of Yevgeny’s connections with the club's owners. I think Sasha did everything right.
“Most likely, he wouldn't have succeeded at Chelsea right away. It wasn't easy for Golovin at Monaco either, and adapting to England is even harder.
“But now he's [Monaco’s] number ten, has the status of one of the leaders in Ligue 1, and is participating in the Champions League. And the question now is whether he should move somewhere else.”
Golovin opened door to Arsenal and Manchester City
Golovin, still only 28, is never too far away from the gossip columns.
Newcastle United, Everton and West Ham are among those who considered big-money moves for the set-piece specialist in recent years, though Golovin’s loyalty will only be tested by the chance to spend his peak years at a bonafide continental powerhouse.
"I like where I am now, even more than in previous years,” Golovin told Express over the summer. “We have the strongest [Monaco] team of all time. So, right now, I'm not thinking about switching.
"But if you move, then only to top clubs. PSG, Manchester City, Real Madrid. I would also say Arsenal, because I have always had sympathy for this club."
Arsenal’s performances during Martin Odegaard’s injury-enforced absence – only two wins in their last six games – has raised the suggestion that The Gunners would benefit from the addition of a Golovin-like talent, though Ethan Nwaneri’s sparkling performance against Preston in the EFL Cup means the solution could yet be found far closer to home.
