Juan Cuadrado

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Perfect time for him to come aboard, teams won't have a book on him and his trickery could expose defenses. Defenders will have a hard time playing against a tricky player who they've never seen before up close. Bonus.

[Parky 739]

Seems to be highly rated.

Mauricio Pochettino backs Juan Cuadrado to shine for Chelsea

Chelsea will be signing a "top player'' in Juan Cuadrado, according to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The 26-year-old Cuadrado is likely to complete his move from Fiorentina to Stamford Bridge over the weekend. The Colombia international could play a major role in the Capital One Cup final when Chelsea meet Tottenham at Wembley, with Pochettino an admirer of his talent.

"He is a top player,'' the Argentinian replied when asked how highly he rated Cuadrado. "He is a decisive player. He is very strong. I've watched him a lot playing for Colombia, his national team. [Jose] Pekerman and Nestor Lorenzo, the manager and assistant manager for Colombia, are my friends. I speak always about Cuadrado. He is a top player.''

Spurs were destined to come up against Cuadrado when they play Fiorentina in a two-legged Europa League tie in February, but now they could face him in the Capital One Cup final instead. And Pochettino is backing the former Udinese man to make a mark for the Blues.

"In both cases we would have played against him,'' he added. "You never know but he has all the attributes to be successful here. He is a very good player. He's a wing-back. He can play like a winger and like a full-back. He is strong, he is powerful and he is very technical.''

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Shame it's Pochettino who talked about it, if AVB who said it, I will be more excited as he is still a top scout, but not as a manager.

[Madmax 9,219]

Shame it's Pochettino who talked about it, if AVB who said it, I will be more excited as he is still a top scout, but not as a manager.

AVB would praise him like only AVB could ("impactivize", "strong emotional control" etc) before sneaking in one more line about how he was wronged and how he helped us win the CL.

[xPetrCechx 13,546]

I'm glad he didn't pick 75 though. That is entirely inapropriate. I would have been offended.

What bad with 75?

[xPetrCechx 13,546]

[xPetrCechx 13,546]

micah_richards_

Last day for @cuadrado11 good luck with Chelsea! Great player

[Spike 12,049]

What bad with 75?

I'm taking the piss out of the people that are blowing a nut over the shirt number.

[DavidEU 2,023]

My bet is that he'll be announced on the pitch either 10 mins before kick off or at half time. Probably by Neil Barnett attempting a South American accent to pronounce his name.

[xPetrCechx 13,546]

My bet is that he'll be announced on the pitch either 10 mins before kick off or at half time. Probably by Neil Barnett attempting a South American accent to pronounce his name.

cezar azzpilicuetaaa

[MichaelDance 552]

Come on just need reus!

[zolayes 14,489]

Would Torres have been better with69?.

[Sovieticus 743]

Would Torres have been better with69?.

No, he would've been better with #0

[lucio 5,371]

No, he would've been better with #0

or -9

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

Pushing it.

Top 20

[Cosmin 2,484]

I think 74 is bad for merchandising. Who the hell wants to buy a jersey with #74 on the back?

[Sovieticus 743]

I think 74 is bad for merchandising. Who the hell wants to buy a jersey with #74 on the back?

I would, love unique numbers.

[lucio 5,371]

I think 74 is bad for merchandising. Who the hell wants to buy a jersey with #74 on the back?

It's the atomic number of tungsten. Maybe it's his favourite metal