What can Javier Pastore bring to Chelsea?

One of the Premier League’s usual big spenders, Chelsea will be eager to redeem themselves having failed to claim a trophy in 2010/11. The pressure on the new manager will be immense, especially as owner Roman Abramovich appears willing to pay over £40m for Argentinean attacking midfielder, Javier Pastore.

Pastore in Serie A – last two seasons

Pastore came into prominence during his second Serie A season, becoming one of the best players in the league. No midfielder was more prolific than him last campaign, when he netted 11 goals for Palermo, eight more than the three he bagged in 2009-10 (with only one appearance more).

Last season, Pastore attempted almost twice as many shots as the total he made in 2009-10, recording also a higher shooting accuracy and conversion rate. Pastore was also the player with the most dribbles in Serie A last season (239), and the one who received the most passes from a teammate (1877). In the whole Premier League, only his possible future teammate, Ghanian Michael Essien, received more passes than Pastore:

Most received passes – Serie A & Premier League (2010-11)

Should Chelsea pursue Pastore or continue their chase for Tottenham’s Modric?