Chelsea’s injury woes have left them weakened early in the season, and one particular area could be addressed by a want-away star.
It hasn’t been an easy start to the season for Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea players are dropping like flies, likely due to the extra strain placed on their bodies at the Club World Cup.
Cole Palmer and Liam Delap are out till at least November, and Levi Colwill is sidelined for the season. There’s enough cover for the attacking absences, but the number of central defenders who have missed time is becoming a problem.
A problem that could be helped by signing a talented young centre-back who is showing signs of discontent at his current club.
Inter Milan’s Yann Bisseck considering a move
With the World Cup on the horizon, there has been an increase in players looking to move for more minutes and cement their spot at next summer’s tournament.
One of those players is German centre-back Yann Bisseck, who is pondering an exit from Inter amid struggles for playing time.
Bisseck is an unbelievable player. He’s strong, intelligent, defensively solid and more than capable with the ball at his feet.
The 24-year-old came up in Chelsea discourse last summer, when it emerged that Inter would sell him to pursue Benoit Badiashile. That never materialised, but it suggests the Italian giants would be open to letting him leave for the right price.
According to FC Inter News, that figure would be £30 million.
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There’s an obvious deal to be made between Chelsea and Inter
Inter’s interest in Badiashile highlights an opportunity for Maresca to balance his back line.
The Frenchman has been one of the more solid defensive options we have seen deployed this season, but the fact is, he’s not a starter when everyone is fit. Colwill has that locked down, and new signing Jorrel Hato will grow into an able deputy.
The right side of defence is where Chelsea need an injection of quality.
A swap deal could be put forth that benefits both sides, and gives Chelsea a better range of options at the back.
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Or Chelsea could have both
While that is an option, at £30 million, Chelsea are well able to sign him straight out.
While initial murmurings suggested Chelsea weren’t looking to add a centre-back in January, it looks like Todd Boehly is considering meeting Maresca’s request.
Chelsea scouts were spotted in Germany over the break to look at Nico Schlotterbeck, indicating that they are now considering winter reinforcements at the back.
The only potential snag is that Bisseck would probably need some guarantee with regards to minutes, as that’s the reason he is considering a move.
But the right centre-back spot is fairly open, and with the Inter star’s quality, there’s no reason why he couldn’t become a regular starter at the Bridge.