Chelsea are currently hoping to finalize a deal for the ‘underwhelming’ £57m colossus this week, with negotiations currently ongoing.
Blues aim to secure new contract amid criticism of Carragher
Jamie Carragher suggested on Monday Night Football that the Blues’ current squad have little chance of competing for major honours, given their average age is too young.
A Sky Sports pundit said: “The idea that you get a whole team of young talent and they develop over three or four years, football doesn’t work that way. Man United didn’t win with the kids, they had older players around them who got through them. Chelsea won the Champions League in 2021. Who was the centre-back? Thiago Silva, he was 37/38 years old, right?”
The west Londoners moved up to sixth place after a 2-0 win over Brentford at the weekend, but they are no closer to challenging the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title this season.
However, BlueCo appear to be keen on signing young players, with Leicester City star Jeremy Monga recently named as a target along with RB Leipzig winger Yann Diomande.
Liam Rosenior’s side are also in contention for a new centre-back this month, with Fabrizio Romano revealing they have agreed personal terms with Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, but the deal could be expensive, with the French club aiming to receive €65m (about £57m).
There is another update on Chelsea’s signing of Jaquet, with The Athletic reporting that talks are continuing for the centre-back and they hope to sign him this week.
Things could get even more complicated as Rennes have a huge asking price and manager Habib Bayet is also reluctant to part ways with the defender.
Chelsea need to bring in a new centre-back
It is important for the Blues to sign a new centre-back. There is uncertainty surrounding the futures of Trevor Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo, while Levi Colwill will remain on the treatment table for quite some time due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Rennes star, who stands at 6ft 3in, could be an exciting addition, with scout Ben Mattinson praising the 20-year-old as “a dominant force in the air and set-pieces”.
Not only that, the starlet is also good at winning back possession, averaging 1.69 interceptions per 90 over the past year, which ranks in the 95th percentile compared to other centre-backs.
Chelsea preparing to offer more than £100m for ‘sensational’ Champions League star
The Blues are preparing to sign a midfielder to replace Enzo Fernandes.
However, £57 million is a huge amount to pay for a player who has yet to prove himself at the top level, and perhaps Chelsea should heed Carragher’s warning and bring in a player with a little more experience to complement their talented young players.
