3 centre-backs plus 4 left-backs: Analysing Chelsea's potential defensive targets
Transfers and transfer prices considering this coronavirus outbreak have not decreased, at least not in a way that would be affordable for most teams. Having said that I would not expect that our priorities and all our targets in the transfer market to be completed this summer given players that we have already signed (Ziyech+Werner).
Apart from the Havertz transfer which seems more and more likely to be completed, I would like to think that our main priorities should be finding a good centre-half and a left-back, which at the moment seems to be very important positions to strengthen given the cheap goals we've conceded this season, and I can give a list of players that come to mind at the moment.
1. JOSÉ MARÍA GIMÉNEZ...(1.85m).
Given our situation at the back, he would be a very good option at the moment as he has gone down the pecking order at Atletico Madrid (editor's note: he completed 90 minutes in all but three games since the restart).
An Uruguayan pro who is solid, powerful and a fast-moving defender, Giménez has four titles to his name, including a La Liga title in his debut season. He can also play as a right-back or as a defensive midfielder. He's a ball playing centre-back who is also very good at aerial duels, and an indirect set-piece threat. Giménez has accumulated 1753 minutes in La Liga this season averaging 6.82 long balls per game with a passing accuracy of 85.7, 43.5 average passes, 1.1 interceptions, 1 tackle, 0.3 blocks, 0.7 fouls, 3.4 clearances and gets dribbled pass 0.2 times per game. He is currently valued at €56M in the transfer market.
2. MILAN SKRINIAR...(1.87m).
Though its more likely that Inter would not listen to any offers for their CB, Chelsea should at least try to lure him out. When Conte was still at Chelsea, he opted for Christensen instead of Luiz. So, it would also be a good idea to have a player plus cash deal, where we offer them Christensen or Rudiger plus cash for Skriniar.
The Inter Milan defender has accumulated 2628 minutes in Serie A and likes to make passes mostly short ones at an accuracy of 92.1%, averaging 3.7 long balls per game, 0.3 blocks, 1.2 tackles, 62.4 average passes, 0.9 interceptions, 1.6 fouls committed, 2.6 clearances and is been dribbled past 0.6 times. It would also be good to mention that he is weak at aerial duels which makes Giménez a more likely and a better option to go for than him.
3. MERIH DEMIRAL...(1.90m).
Young (22 years 0ld) and energetic, Demiral is valued at €27M and still has 4 years in his contract with Juventus. He promises to be a top-class defender in the future and being a young side, Chelsea should not overlook him. He has been decent for Juve in recent games and would be a very good buy for us.
4. ETHAN AMPADU...(1.83m).
Our very own Ampadu, who is currently on loan to the Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, promises to be a world-class player if given the chance as we can see in the matches he started for Leipzig against Tottenham in the Champions League this season. He is confident on with the ball as he can move with it fearlessly despite pressures from the opposition forwards.
He can play both as a centre-back and also as a defensive midfielder and that makes me wonder why Chelsea would want to splash money on another defensive midfielder when we have someone who can play there. He has proven to be a commanding player in the Wales national team as he commands his defence during matches. Having him in our squad would relieve our boards and coach of the stress of finding a good defensive player.
5. KURT ZOUMA...(1.90m).
Yes, Zouma is still a Chelsea player but given the criticism he has undergone so far this season, even from us fans, I think it would be a good idea to show his stats. Zouma has accumulated 2344 minutes in the PL this season, averaging 74.3 passes per game at an accuracy of 88.5%, 5 long balls better than Skriniar, 4 clearances better than both Skriniar and Giménez, 3.8 aerials duels better than Skriniar, 1.1 fouls, 0.5 blocks made better than both Skriniar and Giménez, 2.1 interceptions better than both Skriniar and Giménez, 0.8 tackles, and gets dribbled pass 0.3 times per game better than Skriniar.
So it would be safe to assume that Zouma is very good who is been used as a scapegoat whenever our defence produces a horror show. This proves that Zouma only needs a CB partner that will make him better in our defence.
LEFT BACKS
We have been linked with up to five Left backs this summer and it would be good to look at them before buying in other not to make mistakes. The left-back has been a constant issue in our defence given most of the attacks that have lead to goals this season. It wouldn't be a surprise that Chelsea have been linked with almost every left-back that has produced a good display this season, so we should just take a look at some of them.
1. ROBIN GOSENS...(1.84m).
A Dutch-German pro plays as a left-back or a left midfielder and is currently valued at €20M. With his contract set to end at 2022, Atalanta would like to get good cash for their left-back. Gosens has made 34 appearances this season scoring 9 goals and providing 8 assists. He averages 1.5 aerials duels per game, 0.3 blocks, 1.2 key passes, 0.5 dribbles, 0.6 crosses, 1.1 long balls, 1.6 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 0.9 fouls,1 clearance, 1.5 shots, 38 average passes at an accuracy of 78.4. His average rating in the Serie A this season is 7.22 with strengths in passing, finishing, aerial duels. This would be a very good buy that would indeed strengthen us going forward and also in defence next season.
2. BEN CHILWELL..(1.78m).
It is no secret that Chelsea have been strongly linked with Chilwell this summer, with our manager a strong admirer of him. Chilwell has accumulated 2376 minutes in the PL this season averaging 0.6 shots, 2.1 aerial duels, 1.6 tackles, 1 interception, 1.1fouls, 2 clearances, 0.2 blocks, 2 long balls, 1.3 key passes, 0.7 crosses, assisting 3 times and scoring 3 this season. He can also play as a left midfielder and currently valued at €40M, but that's funny given the 80 million Leicester want for him.
3. NICOLÁS TAGLIAFICO(1.72m)
We have been linked with him also as our left-back issue continues to come up. He has scored 3 goals and assisted 4. Currently valued at €28M he averages 1.6 shots per game, 2 aerial duels,1.5 fouls, 2.1 clearances, 0.6 crosses, 0.4 dribbles, 0.3 blocks, 1 key pass, he has accumulated 2054 minutes in Eredivise this season and is not a surprise that Chelsea is linked with him. He also has strengths of being able to hold onto the ball, passes, crosses, key passes and is 27 years old which can add experience to our backline.
4. ALEX TELLES...(1.81cm).
He's an offensive full-back that is skilled, quick and a playmaking defender, currently valued at €32M. With his contract ending in 2021, he would really come cheap if Chelsea can go for him and would prove to be a good buy given the player's versatility: he can play as a left-back, a left midfielder and also a left winger.
He has scored a staggering 11 goals and assisted 8 times this season in the Portuguese league which is quite impressive for a defender. Telles has accumulated 2558 minutes this season and averages 1.3 shots per game, 1.7 aerial duels, 0.1 blocks,1.2 clearances, 1.7 fouls, 1.8 interceptions, 1.1 tackles, 1.8 long balls, 2.3 crosses which betters all the above full-backs mentioned, 1.8 key passes, 37.4 average passes with an accuracy of 80.5%. He is also very very good in set-pieces, holding onto the ball, key passes and no doubt he would make a great squad member to Chelsea.
Lastly, though we are all very, very familiar with the next one, maybe it would be good if we kept hold of him as some of us are all calling for him to be sold...
5 MARCOS ALONSO (1.88m)
4 goals and 3 assists. He has accumulated 1433 minutes in the PL this season and averages 1.7 shots per game, 1.1 interceptions, 0.9 fouls, 1.4 clearances, 1.4 long balls, 1.4 key passes, 0.1 blocks, 2.3 aerial duels, with passing accuracy of 82.6%, Is one of the best left-backs we have in the Premier League, so we should try and hold onto him.
Please note that the above stats are based on whoscored.com
Thanks and love you guys, Blues 4ever
Comments
Good stuff. Thanks reminding us of Ethan Ampadu. He was rarely used on loan but showed a great promise against Tottenham in the champions league. Still think he's better than the three regular centre backs but unfortunately lacks physical presence. To me if Lewis Dunk's link have any truth in it, let's get him because he's a proven material in the EPL. Time is not on our side to endure any protracted transfer drama. Let's act fast. The left back position, too bad for Chiwell unfortunately in this Covid-19 era, CFC cannot make him the most expensive left back like Man United did for Maguire. Let's get other equally better alternative and move on. After all, no team in this world can get all its targets in one transfer window.
Solid post, got it shared to the main feed with slight changes Just a caution that Chelsea have not been linked with each of the players on the list (for the life of me, can't remember any Demiral rumours)
pls, don't get me wrong I mentioned him as player Chelsea should go for
Get gimenez n taglifiaco or telles n a keeper then we can compete