Chelsea Looking To Secure Manchester City Defender?

Chelsea Looking To Secure Manchester City Defender?

Conte could catch a break when it comes to the defense as Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala could be put up for sale after City signing former Chelsea target John Stones. The 25-year-old who is under contract with the Citizens until 2019 is no longer part of Guardiola’s plans apparently. According to the Daily Mail, Bony and Yaya Toure are also up for sale but out of all three Mangala would be the right choice for the Blues. The Frenchman has dropped in value since moving to Manchester and might even represent good business for Chelsea who might be able to buy the center-back for around £18million.  He represents a solid solution for the future as well as he could fit in well next to Cahill, Terry or Zouma now.

The good news is Mangala is well acquainted with the Premier League even if some would argue he has not fully adjusted to it. At a new club he would be eager to prove himself and he would come at the perfect time for Chelsea who need someone to be there at least until Zouma is back.

Out of all the players Conte was rumored to target this summer, Mangala would be the most appropriate buy. Even though Koulibaly is pretty good and even if Mustafi and Kostas Manolas would bring a bit more speed to the defense, City’s defender would be an experienced acquisition. Getting used to the Premier League is a difficult task for any player so if something happens to Terry or Cahill it might be hard for someone who comes from Serie A or La Liga to fill in.

It might sound a bit farfetched to make this center-back the most likely player to join Chelsea buy the end of summer, but on the other hand, who expected to see Joe Hart on the bench? Guardiola is not playing around and he is fair to players who are not part of his plans. He is upfront about it and allows them to leave so there’s a pretty good chance to see Toure, Bony and Mangala say goodbye to Etihad Stadium. The big question is if Guardiola is willing to sell to his direct adversaries. Even if Mangala is no longer part of his plans that does not mean he is a defender he would like to face in the future. It remains to be seen if Manchester City will allow the French defender to move to Stamford Bridge given the fact that since Conte’s arrival, the Blues are once again considered title contenders.