A revered reporter from The Telegraph has shared what “contacts” have advised him in regards to 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 usher in 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 in the beginning of December that signing a brand new central defender was the membership’s prime 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.
Chelsea’s subsequent Premier League fixtures | Date |
|---|---|
Bournemouth (dwelling) | January 14 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers (dwelling) | 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 critical curiosity in re-signing Marc Guehi in January as properly, even when it will not be a simple deal to drag off, which makes the newest replace from supervisor Enzo Maresca fairly stunning.
Talking in his newest pre-match press convention, the Italian moved to downplay solutions that his facet are in dire want of one other centre-half – maybe seeking to divert consideration and strain off Chelsea switch chiefs.
“At this second I feel we’re OK,” stated Maresca on Chelsea signing one other centre-back earlier than January.
“The timing [for Fofana] is between 12 and 16 weeks, which is three months, and the season could possibly be completed. If he can come again early, we are going to all be completely satisfied. [But] we’ve Benoit, who’s near being again, we’ve 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 and improve the squad,” stated Maresca on January transfers.
“If we signal gamers only for signing them, it is not price it, so if we do one thing, it’s as a result of we predict that we’re enhancing and updating the crew.”
Chelsea are followers of Bournemouth star Illia Zabarnyi
Within the build-up to the window, Chelsea had been reliably linked with a transfer for Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi – and whereas Maresca says they are not in want of a centre-back proper now, you would make an excellent case that the Ukrainian could 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 Regulation, Chelsea signing Zabarnyi this month is not seen as attainable proper now.
Talking on the London is Blue podcast this week, Regulation stated (through TBR): “Look, I am going to inform you that my contacts, I’ve thrown names comparable to Zabarnyi at Bournemouth at them. I have been advised Chelsea like him, however do not see a deal being finished for him this month.
“The Barcelona defender, is it Araujo? I’ve thrown him at somebody and been advised, 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 an inventory.”
Zabarnyi value Bournemouth simply £23 million to signal from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023, together with his worth doubling after a formidable two years in England.
