As we continue our transfer series, we move onto the defence after covering goalkeepers in our first piece.
It is known in the fan base that the club will be looking to sign a centre back this summer, with the likely focus being on the right side. Fabian Schar will remain with the club, but we need to source his long term replacement.
Eddie Howe will be looking for a player who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, as Schar is often the one in the back-line to launch attacks. In addition to ball-playing skills, we will want a player who can add pace to our defence and is able to compete physically in the Premier League. Below we discuss five possible targets.
The Telegraph reported earlier this week that Marc Guehi is one of the key targets this summer and it is easy to see why. The club have been patient with their long-term targets and we made our interest known last summer. The England international can play on either side of the defence and he is already one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League. With only one year left on his contract, it will be hoped that we can agree a deal this time around.
This season, Guehi has continued to thrive in the Palace team and played a key role in their FA Cup triumph. The former Chelsea academy player is very good at being a playmaking presence in defence, as shown by his average of 3.94 progressive passes per ninety minutes. One of his trademarks has been his long passing from deep, with is a trait he shares with Schar. He is also comfortable carrying the ball from deep, averaging 0.35 successful take ons per ninety minutes, ranking him in the 81st percentile among centre backs.
Guehi is an aggressive defender who looks to engage attacking players. He averages 1.79 tackles per ninety minutes (82nd percentile).
He is also a very effective attacking presence, who contributed three goals and two assists in the Premier League last season. It is rare for a transfer to carry no risk, but Guehi would come as close as is possible. The club are right to reignite the chase for his signature.
A player with a similar profile in the Premier League is Nathan Collins from Brentford, and NUFCBlog have previously reported that he is a player we’ve been tracking.
If we were to fail in the chase for Marc Guehi, the Irish international would be a very good second option. He was an ever present for the Bees this season, contributing two goals and three assists. Like Guehi, he offers some attacking threat from set pieces.
Although he isn’t as progressive as Guehi, Collins is comfortable with the ball at his feet, often opting to carry the ball into midfield areas. He averages 3.34 progressive passes (52nd percentile) and 0.82 successful take ons (73rd percentile) per ninety minutes.
The key difference between the pair is that Collins is more of a sweeper in defence. He doesn’t look to engage attackers in high areas and prefers to use his defensive instincts in the penalty box. The former Burnley defender averages 2.03 blocks (97th percentile), 5.95 clearances (79th percentile) and 3.08 successful aerial duels (88th percentile). This emphasises how effective he is in his own area.
Brentford are difficult sellers, but Collins would likely cost a similar fee to Guehi and possesses the Premier League experience that Howe prefers. At the age of 24, there is room for further growth.
A player that we know is a long term target is Malick Thiaw. The AC Milan defender has been linked in previous windows and the poor finishing position of the Italian club means he could be available. Next season, the Rossoneri will not be playing in European competition. This means there could be bargains for other clubs.
Thiaw has the physicality to play in the Premier League, having shown his form in both Germany and Italy. At the age of 23, he has the physical and technical tools to become a very good centre back. He hasn’t always been first choice in Milan and could be the profile of player to benefit greatly from the coaching of Eddie Howe.
The German is very good on the ball, as displayed by his 93.2% pass success rate. He averages 4.96 progressive passes per ninety minutes, which ranks him in the 86th percentile among defenders.
Although Thiaw isn’t as accomplished as Marc Guehi, he is potentially available for a cheaper price this summer and he could quickly develop into an excellent centre back. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him emerge as an option later in the summer.
A player with a similar profile to Thiaw is Yann Bisseck from Inter Milan. The defender could be starting in the Champions League final this weekend. At 24, he is an imposing figure, who would be a perfect fit for the physical style of the Premier League.
Bisseck wins 2.43 aerial duels per ninety minutes, but it is his smoothness on the ball that has seen him reach the top of the European game. Inter play with a back three, therefore the centre backs have freedom to go into midfield areas and create overloads.
The German averages 4.24 progressive passes and 1.58 progressive carries per ninety minutes. A pass accuracy of 90.6 shows how reliable he is in possession.
Out of the names mentioned, Bisseck would be the biggest coup of any, as he is currently playing for one of Europe’s elite. However, Inter do have financial issues of their own and may need to sell a key player or two.
Out of the names on this list, Javi Rodriguez is definitely the rawest. He wouldn’t immediately come into the first team and would need time on the training ground before replacing Schar. That being said, he is an exciting talent at only 21-years-old.
He has managed to have a breakthrough season in Spain and looks to have the talent to reach the very top of the game. Being at a club like Celta, he should be easier to recruit, as they will want to pocket a decent fee.
Rodriguez is technically skilled, as you would expect from a Spanish centre back. He averages 4.08 progressive passes and 1.04 progressive carries per ninety minutes. Like others in the list, he carries a goal threat as shown by his three goals and two assists in the recent season.
Physically, he would need to do work to transition to the Premier League, as he could be targeted in the air. That being said, he could be the perfect project for Eddie Howe to take up, as he has already reached an impressive level by a young age. Further development would be expected.
Stats taken from fbref (powered by Opta)