Chelsea still want defender – could move in January – report

We are just getting the first signs of a heating up in the transfer market as clubs jostle for position ahead of what should be a really busy window.

While Chelsea’s rise to the top this season has been scarcely credible, many to most expect Antonio Conte to sign more players in the winter window. There was a definite sense that he didn’t get all the business done that he would have liked through the summer months and another defender may be top of his list of priorities.

David Luiz has been an unqualified success since he returned to Stamford Bridge but he’s more of a ball playing centre back and Chelsea may look to replace the tiring John Terry in January.

Terry hasn’t been getting a game of late but Chelsea don’t have too much top cover beyond Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta.

Latest reports in Italy suggest that Chelsea will make a move for a player who has previously been linked with the club. Calcio Mercato says (translated via The Daily Mail):

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are locked in a battle to sign Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam, according to reports in Italy.

The suggestion is that, with his contract up in 2018, the player could leave for as little as £11m in January.

The 25-year-old, 6ft 2in Algeria international has played 23 times for his country and scored a remarkable five goals from his position at left back.

This demonstrates his ability to get up and down the flank which could work beautifully for Chelsea and their new found 3-4-3 formation.

The France-born defender moved to Napoli in 2014 and has slowly grown into a virtual ever present in the Italian club side since his arrival, playing 98 times in all.

TFF thinks that he could be a superb addition to a Chelsea squad which is already flying but whose wingbacks will surely tire as the season progresses.

Let’s see him in action. Chelsea fans: would this be a wise addition?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ws7ZenhRZ8