Chelsea transfer rumour: Blues consider signing former Barcelona and Juventus defender Martin Caceres
Chelsea are considering bringing in former Juventus defender Martin Caceres in the squad as the Blues manager Antonio Conte looks to bolster his defences. While Chelsea were linked with a number of high-profile players this summer, the Blues managed to sign only a few players.
The addition of Marcos Alonso and David Luiz as deadline day signing will help in Chelsea’s defences, however, the Blues manager is still concerned about his defensive side, and in such a short notice he can sign Caceres who is currently a free agent.
The Uruguayan player started out in his hometown club Defensor and later moved to Villareal in 2007. The player joined Barcelona from Villareal in 2008; however, he did not feature regularly in the first team due to injury and technical issues. Caceres was further loaned to Juventus and Sevilla FC from Barca in the following years. Having made his move to Sevilla permanent, the player moved back to Juventus on a loan deal from Sevilla FC in February 2012. Caceres signed for Juventus on a permanent deal in May 2012.
After five fruitful years at Juventus which saw him in the winning squad of three Serie A titles, in addition to two Supercoppa Italiano both under the current Blues manager Antonio Conte, before the latter left to manage the Italian National Team, Caceres left Juventus last season and is yet to find a club for himself.
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If reports are to be believed then Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has contacted the player inquiring about his current situation. The 29-year-old player has been linked with Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma and Napoli. However, these clubs failed to reach an agreement as Caceres is reportedly keen on a move abroad. Further, the player’s £2.1 million salary demands too have turned into an issue for the clubs interested in signing him.
Although the Blues manager has worked with the player during their time together at Juventus, it cannot be ignored that the player himself is very injury prone. And an injury prone player is not what Chelsea needs at the moment. The defender needs to prove his fitness to Chelsea before the Italian manager proceeds with the 29-year old’s move to the Bridge.
Caceres although primarily plays as a central defender, he operates well as the right or left back as well. If he does move to Chelsea, Caceres will surely add to the Blues with his pace, strength, tackling and aerial ability. Apart from his injury proneness the player’s vast experience and invariable quality make him a good addition to the squad.