Chelsea seem to really be focusing on signing at least one new defender by the time the winter transfer window closes. Yesterday we spoke about Marseille’s Daria who is being scouted by the Blues who see in him as a potential partner for Zouma or Cahill. While the Brazilian does have a lot of potential, he is still the kind of player that you cannot just throw into the fighting pit that is the Premier League. Chelsea will also be in the Champions League next year [it`s not yet settled but it will surely happen] and a 21-year-old with no experience cannot lead a defense. There are players who can do that though, players who seem to be looking for new challenges.
The first on the list is none other than Thiago Silva. The Brazilian defender who is now 32, has not yet discussed a contract extension with PSG despite the fact that his deal is getting close to completion. His agent recently provided an update on the player’s status, an update which may point towards good things for the Blues:
“It is very important for everyone – both for us and for PSG – that everything is clear by December.”
“We can imagine leaving PSG if the club have not made us an offer by then. We already have offers from three or four big teams.”
“But Thiago’s desire is to stay at PSG. He is feeling very well in Paris, as is his family”
‘”But it all depends on what the club want” [Quotes provided by Metro].
Silva has been and continues to be one of the highest rated defenders in the world. He still has a few good years in him so brining him to Stamford Bridge would not be a compromise but rather a solution for the gaps that need to be filled until others like Zouma reach their full potential.
The second player on the list is Alessio Romagnoli. While he is really young, he does have a certain maturity to him, maturity which if paired with the right character, could give birth to a true leader. He does have the Serie A background which is like the best qualification for a center-back and has already played for his national team. Conte is quite keen on signing his fellow compatriot who might be given away through a more complex deal. Fabregas is very unlikely to stay on the bench for the rest of the season so even a loan deal might be in order. The Spaniard would allow Chelsea to buy Romagnoli who already valued by the Blues at around £35m. For that much money and with the added bonus of giving Fabregas away, AC Milan are very likely to say yes. As we said, negotiations will begin soon as Conte looks to sign at least one of these two by the end of February.