Chelsea want to sign a £67m Gabriel & Saliba hybrid

Chelsea faltered but once more towards Bournemouth, giving up a 1-0 result in go 2-1 down within the second half at Stamford Bridge. Fortunately for Enzo Maresca’s facet, membership captain Reece James managed to attain a Ninety fifth-minute freekick after getting back from harm this week, to rescue the Blues a degree.

An lack of ability to carry onto their leads, beginning second halves slowly after which dropping management of video games because the group comes underneath adversity, have all been widespread themes of late for Maresca’s males. In latest weeks, the Blues have misplaced 1-0 results in Fulham, Crystal Palace and now Bournemouth, additionally dropping factors towards Ipswich and Everton.

While an enormous a part of that is the inexperience and age of the squad, the steadiness has additionally been off because the harm to Wesley Fofana, which may see the Chelsea administrators transfer within the January switch window for a substitute for his or her star proper central defender.

Chelsea’s seek for a centre-back

Based on reports from GIVEMESPORT earlier this week, Chelsea have been keeping track of Sporting defender, Ousmane Diomande, scouting the 21-year-old within the Taca de Liga remaining final weekend.

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Studies from earlier than the summer time window in 2024 acknowledged his value can be someplace around his €80 million release clause (£67m).

Different names the Blues are stated to be watching in Portugal embody Benfica pair, Tomas Araujo and Antonio Silva, as Chelsea look primed to maneuver on from Crystal Palace defender, Marc Guehi.

Diomande has made 25 appearances so far this season, contributing to 10 clear sheets in all competitions, totalling 1,893 minutes performed.

Diomande vs Fofana comparability

Fofana has made 12 appearances for Chelsea this season (all 12 coming within the Premier League), contributing to a few clear sheets and totalling 1,017 minutes performed. Maresca himself even praised Fofana, stating “I love Wes” and calling the Frenchman a “fighter“.

That stated, Diomande has been described by Ben Mattinson as a “hybrid between Gabriel & [William] Saliba“, having the bodily parts to his recreation, alongside the technical high quality to progress the ball and play out from the again in an elite possession-based system.

That likeness to the Arsenal pairing – who’ve been dubbed the best centre-back duo in Europe by Rio Ferdinand – amongst different components, ensures he may truly signify an ideal substitute for Fofana.

Diomande vs Fofana comparability
Stats (per 90 minutes)	Diomande	Fofana
Progressive Carries	0.22	1.24
Progressive Passes	2.64	2.21
Passes Tried	81.2	62.2
Cross Completion %	94.4%	89.6%
Passes into Last Third	2.47	3.89
Tackles	1.10	1.15
Blocks	0.55	1.24
Interceptions	1.15	1.06
Aerial Duels Received	2.69	2.04
Stats taken from FBref

When evaluating the 2 gamers’ metrics from this season, you possibly can see the added duty Diomande has on the ball, averaging extra passes tried and making extra progressive passes for his facet.

A move is taken into account progressive if the gap between the start line and the subsequent contact is at the very least 10 meters nearer to the opponent’s aim or any accomplished move into the penalty space.

Nevertheless, his progressive carries are down, because of enjoying in the midst of a again three this season, relatively than because the large central defender like he did final season, which is extra just like Fofana’s function underneath Maresca.

Each defenders excel with wonderful bodily attributes, having good restoration tempo, lengthy leg extension to assist their floor duels and an aggressive nature when attacking the ball, serving to them to win aerial duels and make the primary contact.

Diomande would provide a superb substitute for Fofana, including the attributes again to Maresca’s facet which have been lacking because the Frenchman’s harm. The principle subject that might come up later down the road, is when Fofana returns to full health, who turns into the starter?