A revered reporter from The Telegraph has shared what “contacts” have informed him concerning the prospect of Chelsea signing a Premier League star in January.
Enzo Maresca shares January switch replace at Chelsea
The west Londoners have been reliably tipped to herald a brand new centre-back this month, and had been backed to take action lengthy earlier than Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile succumbed to harm.
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Unai Emery’s facet have made their calls for clear.
Very dependable Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips reported originally of December that signing a brand new central defender was the membership’s high precedence for this month, with the potential addition of a centre-back taking precedent over their chase for a brand new striker and left-back.
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Chelsea’s subsequent Premier League fixtures |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Bournemouth (residence) |
January 14 |
|
Wolverhampton Wanderers (residence) |
January 20 |
|
Man Metropolis (away) |
January 25 |
|
West Ham (away) |
February 3 |
|
Brighton (away) |
February 14 |
The likes of Fabrizio Romano have backed Chelsea’s serious interest in re-signing Marc Guehi in January as properly, even when it will not be a simple deal to tug off, which makes the most recent replace from supervisor Enzo Maresca fairly shocking.
Talking in his newest pre-match press convention, the Italian moved to downplay options that his facet are in dire want of one other centre-half – maybe trying to divert consideration and stress off Chelsea switch chiefs.
“At this second I feel we’re OK,” stated Maresca on Chelsea signing another centre-back before January.
“The timing [for Fofana] is between 12 and 16 weeks, which is three months, and the season might be completed. If he can come again early, we are going to all be comfortable. [But] we’ve got Benoit, who’s near being again, we’ve got Josh who’s doing properly, Axel and Levi who can all do properly within the place.”
Moreover, Chelsea’s head coach refused to rule out a brand new January signing – however insisted they should be of the suitable calibre.
“My message is kind of clear since we first began right here – we are going to solely signal gamers to enhance what we’ve got and improve the squad,” stated Maresca on January transfers.
“If we signal gamers only for signing them, it is not value it, so if we do one thing, it’s as a result of we expect that we’re enhancing and updating the crew.”
Chelsea are followers of Bournemouth star Illia Zabarnyi
Within the build-up to the window, Chelsea were reliably linked with a move for Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi – and whereas Maresca says they don’t seem to be in want of a centre-back proper now, you possibly can make an excellent case that the Ukrainian can be an improve on their present choices.
In contrast to defensive companions Dean Huijsen and Marcos Senesi, who’ve rotated out and in of the beginning eleven, the 22-year-old has been an ever-present in Andoni Iraola’s backline – beginning all 20 of their Premier League video games and averaging extra clearances per 90 than another Cherries participant (WhoScored).
This has resulted in Bournemouth placing a £50 million price ticket on his head, however based on The Telegraph’s Matt Legislation, Chelsea signing Zabarnyi this month isn’t seen as possible right now.
Talking on the London is Blue podcast this week, Legislation stated (by way of TBR): “Look, I am going to let you know that my contacts, I’ve thrown names equivalent to Zabarnyi at Bournemouth at them. I have been informed Chelsea like him, however do not see a deal being achieved for him this month.
“The Barcelona defender, is it Araujo? I’ve thrown him at somebody and been informed, yeah, we have checked out him, however do not see us doing that one this month.
“So I don’t have the names precisely on the listing, however there appears to be a listing.”
Zabarnyi value Bournemouth simply £23 million to signal from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023, along with his worth doubling after a powerful two years in England.
