Chelsea scout Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea have identified Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez as the man to solve their defensive dilemma.
The Blues have struggled at the back all season. No team in the top ten of the Premier League has conceded more goals than us.
This was on show at Anfield as Liverpool put five past a hapless Kepa Arrizabalaga. It could have been more had former Blue Mohamed Salah been more clinical.
With Frank Lampard aiming to challenge for the top next season, the back four remains an Achilles heel that needs to be solidified.
According to the report, Lampard will have to get rid of a centre-back before he can bring in another. Chelsea are well-stocked in the position quantity-wise necessitating such a decision.
The Blues were keen on bringing Declan Rice back to Stamford Bridge. However West Ham United are holding fast in their £70m valuation of the player. This has been further emboldened by them securing their Premier League future for another season. (h/t Telegraph)
Ironically, Atletico are set to ask more for Gimenez. The Uruguayan has a massive £109m release clause that the Spanish giants expect to be met in full. (h/t Telegraph)
Gimenez has been a key part of a mean Atletico backline that has gained a reputation for it’s abhorrence to conceding goals. Capable of playing at right-back and also in defensive midfield, the 25-year-old has made 190 appearances for Atletico.
A tank of a player, he is also a threat in the air on set pieces. Gimenez would indeed be an improvement on anyone we have at the moment.
His massive valuation could however prove to be an issue. Chelsea have already gone big on both Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner. The club is also closing in on Kai Havertz in what is potentially a club-record fee.
With the Blues keen to stay within the purview of financial fair play, it remains to be seen how we go about our business.
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Chelsea’s issues at the back are more serious than just bringing in one player. We lack a dependable left-back while Cesar Azpilicueta will soon turn 31.
We also have a goalkeeper who doesn’t inspire confidence protected by a central defensive pairing that can make their own bloopers section for the season review.
Chelsea’s defensive problems will have to be mended before we can consider ourselves genuine contenders for the top. Bringing in attacking talent is all well and good but at the moment it gives it the air of an unbalanced team.