Chelsea and Brighton are linked with the defender.placeholder image
Chelsea and Brighton are linked with the defender. | Getty Images
Enzo Maresca has found himself somewhat short of fit centre-back options this season and Chelsea could move for a Serie A star.
Chelsea have joined Premier League rivals Brighton in ‘keeping close tabs’ on Lazio defender Mario Gila ahead of upcoming transfer windows as the centre-back impresses in the Serie A.
The 25-year-old has cemented himself as one of the Italian league’s most reliable defenders since his €6 million move from Real Madrid to Lazio in July 2022. The Spaniard has gone on to make 90 appearances for Lazio, starting every league match so far this season.
The defender is out of contract with the club in the summer of 2027 and, as a result, Lazio may be forced to cash in on their talent either in January or next summer, rather than risk losing him for nothing. Football Insider claims that has piqued the interest of Chelsea and Brighton.
Chelsea and Brighton linked with Lazio defender
The Seagulls are said to have held ‘long-term interest’ in Gila and even tried to sign him in the summer window just passed. Meanwhile, Chelsea are also described as ‘admirers’ and have supposedly sent scouts to watch the centre-back several times this season.
Lazio have kept two clean sheets in their opening six Serie A matches. Gila made 43 appearances across all competitions last season, which included 10 Europa League outings as the Italian club reached the quarter finals.
Former Lazio manager Marco Baroni has described the player as ‘intelligent’ and with an ‘important career in front of him’ after one of his Europa League appearances last season. The defender has also been trusted to play in midfield in recent seasons.
Chelsea struggling for centre-back options
Maresca has been somewhat short of options in defence this term with injuries to Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo, as well as a recent red card for Trevoh Chalobah. Chelsea have had to lean on the services of talented 19-year-old Josh Acheampong. The Blues finished the win over Liverpool with four full-backs on the pitch.
Speaking after Chalobah was sent off against Brighton, which saw the Seagulls come from behind to win the match 3-1, Maresca said: “No, for sure you cannot continue to make mistakes. They are big mistakes in terms of game changes: the red card at Manchester United and the red card today.
“After the red we tried to adjust a little bit with Josh Acheampong coming on, and he was ill over the last week. Josh, in that moment, our two central defenders were Josh and Jorrel [Hato], that both are for sure fantastic players, fantastic talents, but not so many games in the Premier League. When you are with 10 players it’s a moment that you have to manage the situation.”
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