Levi Colwill’s return and Jorrel Hato’s improving form has certainly helped Chelsea look more sturdy, but Xabi Alonso wants a new signing at centre-back and has picked his no.1 target.
Colwill’s return to the Chelsea side saw the Blues push Man City all the way in the FA Cup, while helping Chelsea secure a point at Anfield. He was rested against Tottenham on Tuesday, after his long-term injury.
One of many problems on the pitch at the moment 🤦♂️
Chelsea's Wesley Fofana
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Hato, meanwhile, looks like a player reborn. Struggling at left-back during the first half of the season, the £37m signing from Ajax has been superb since moving into the middle of Chelsea’s leaky defence.
Calum McFarlane said he has been “immense” since Liam Rosenior was sacked. But no clean sheets in 15 Premier League games is a problem, and Xabi Alonso is looking to the transfer market to solve it.
Xabi Alonso wants Chelsea to sign Ousmane Diomande
One of Alonso’s main issues will be at centre-back this summer. When Axel Disasi and Aaron Anselmino return from loan spells, Chelsea will have 10 senior options that can play in the middle of the defence.
Yet, Alonso is likely to want a senior, starting player signed at centre-back before the start of the season, and Portuguese outlet O Jogo says he wants his new club to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting.
Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande on the ball
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Diomande has been regularly linked with a move to the Premier League, with Ruben Amorim touted to take his old player to Man United before being sacked, while Crystal Palace were linked in January.
A 22-year-old, Diomande does not represent the experienced option that Chelsea fans had hoped for. But, the Ivory Coast international makes up for it in terms of physicality and speed; he could be perfect.
Ousmane Diomande price tag and Ruben Amorim’s praise
While Palace were attempting to land Geovany Quenda’s Sporting teammate for £50m, some reports suggest that Sporting will want his release clause paid. TNT Sports report that fee stands at £70m.
It is a lot of money for a player who is yet to prove himself in Europe’s top-five leagues. But Liga NOS is often a scouting ground for some of the Premier League’s best players, look at Bruno Fernandes.
Are you taking Thiago Silva back at Chelsea? If so, in what capacity?🤔
Chelsea legend Thiago Silva leaves Porto and is now a free agent
Photo by Pedro Loureiro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Amorim is a big fan of Diomande, once saying: “Diomande plays with both feet, and is very physically strong. He is a very talented player and most people don’t know how many clubs were after him.
“The truth is that we managed to get him because we took a risk by telling the kids that they’re coming to play for the first team, he’s got a lot of scope for progression,” Amorim said while Sporting Lisbon boss.
He lacks the experience and that means he will lack the leadership. But in terms of what he produces on the pitch, Diomande would be a sensational signing if Chelsea can reduce Sporting’s asking price.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox