Chelsea readying huge supply for ‘one of many world’s finest’

Chelsea are chasing Champions League qualification, trying to return to the competitors after spending the previous two seasons away from the highest degree. Nevertheless, presently sitting sixth within the Premier League, it seems just like the Blues must string collectively some huge wins on the again finish of the marketing campaign to have any probability of ending inside the highest 5.

Enzo Maresca’s facet began out as probably the greatest attacking sides within the league, scoring for enjoyable with huge wins resembling a 6-2 win in opposition to Wolves and a 4-2 win in opposition to Brighton.

Nevertheless it seems like Chelsea could lean on their defensive qualities on the again finish of this season, having solely conceded three targets of their final 5 Premier League video games, conserving three clear sheets.

The Blues are conceding 10.8 pictures per recreation; solely Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool and Arsenal are conceding fewer. That being stated, Chelsea have conceded 49.54 xG this marketing campaign, leaving them twelfth for this metric, proving there may be nonetheless loads of enchancment to be made on the defensive finish of the pitch.

Chelsea’s readying bid for a brand new defender

In line with experiences from Spain, Chelsea have made Barcelona defender, Jules Kounde, a key a part of their summer time plans to shore up their defensive unit this summer time and are keen to interrupt the financial institution with an €80m (£68m) supply.

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The experiences counsel the Blues are eager so as to add a flexible defender who can play not solely as a central defender, but in addition as a hybrid fullback when wanted.

Kounde would additionally supply much-needed expertise to the Chelsea defence, one thing massively missing since Thiago Silva’s departure.

Kounde has made 50 appearances for the Spanish giants already this season, scoring three targets, offering eight assists and totalling 4,171 minutes performed, proving to be a necessary a part of Hansi Flick’s success.

Why Chelsea could possibly be focusing on the subsequent Azpilicueta

It could possibly be argued that Kounde has the power to turn into Chelsea’s subsequent Cesar Azpilicueta, having performed in Spain and having the flexibility to play a number of positions within the defensive position.

Azpilicueta – who started his profession at Osasuna, earlier than becoming a member of Marseille – has gone down as a Chelsea legend, making 508 appearances for the membership, scoring 17 targets, offering 51 assists and totalling 42,256 minutes performed following his arrival in 2012.

When evaluating the underlying metrics of Kounde and Azpilicueta within the 2021/22 season, you possibly can see how the hybrid fullbacks are related, each being able to play at right-back or as a centre-back, but in addition rating intently in lots of essential metrics.

Ex-Barcelona boss, Xavi, labelled Kounde “probably the greatest defenders on this planet” again in 2024, praising his particular person high quality within the Champions League in opposition to PSG to cease Kylian Mbappe. This 1v1 defending, restoration tempo and willingness to battle makes the Frenchman a particularly efficient large defender.

Chelsea presently have good choices on the appropriate facet of their defence, with Reece James, Malo Gusto and Josh Acheampong coming via the ranks.

However with Trevoh Chalobah more likely to depart the membership in the summertime, it would not damage the Blues to accumulate a participant of Kounde’s high quality, who can add much-needed expertise to the again line going ahead beneath Maresca.

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