Time now for Chelsea to sign a defender
Demba Ba signed for Chelsea and bagged a double on his debut the very next day. While his perfect start has started debates on how Fernando Torres would feel having been benched yet again or whether the two could form a lethal partnership; one fact that may have been overlooked drastically is the requirement of a center-back.
Relegating the Spaniard to the bench?
David Luiz has to be classified as a midfielder now. He started as the defensive midfielder in the 8-0 demolition of Aston Villa and has made that spot his own. That leaves Chelsea with a man short at center-back.
Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic are the perfect pair in the absence of John Terry, but an injury or suspension to either of them leaves Chelsea in huge trouble.
True, John Terry is on a comeback trail, but due to his advancing years, he cannot be counted upon like earlier. There will come a day when he would ultimately have to make way.
Having classified David Luiz as a midfielder, one can find only three center-backs (one of whom who is currently injured and at the pinnacle of his career) in the squad. This is not sufficient for a club of Chelsea’s ambition. If no new face is added, then let us look at the possible options.
1. John Obi Mikel: It looks increasingly likely that he has lost his spot to Luiz in the center of the 4-2-3-1 setup. This only means he needs to compete with Ramires and Lampard for one spot. Ramires offers more pace and energy than Mikel. Based on current form and sentiments, Lampard will get the nod. Thus Mikel could potentially fill in at center-back.
2. Michael Essien: (Currently out on loan) Again, this would be a short-term fix. An ageing player, he is more known for breaking up opponent’s passes in the middle of the park, than trying out as a center-back. He has been used as an emergency left-back in the past, but his versatility may not be as effective now as it was in the past.
3. Paulo Ferreira: This would be a huge risk. Somehow, amazingly, Paulo Ferreira has hung on at Chelsea, in spite of being above 30. He is one of the very few players of the Mourinho era left at the club. Always content to be a backup for the right back slot, forcing him into an emergency and alien center-back position is too huge a risk worth taking.
As an alternative to the above, the potential non-availability of either of Cahill and Ivanovic through injury or suspension would mean a youngster from the reserves being thrown in to the deep end, completely out of the blue.
This surely is not an ideal situation. Thus there arises a need for an additional center-back. Gary Cahill was the most astute buy in last January, so Chelsea fans will be hoping for a similar arrival.
Possibly the best signing of last January.
1. Joleon Lescott: He is not getting much games at Manchester City and will push Ivanovic and Cahill to the limit if he is signed. He brings loads of experience at both domestic and international level and could be a direct replacement for John Terry. He has also played alongside Cahill for England, which will only serve good at club level.
2. Ryan Shawcross: Good in the air, provides a physical presence in dead ball situations, something that has been missing since Drogba’s departure. He could not make it at Manchester United at the youth level, but has been an invaluable asset for Stoke City, almost always starting. Given the chance, he would surely see it as a step up in his career, and sign. If he does so, the presence of a rough, young competitor will serve as a wake-up call to Cahill and Ivanovic.
3. Daniel Agger: Subject of intense interest from Manchester City in the summer, Agger turned down the offer and committed himself to the Reds. But isn’t that what Thiago Silva did as well at Milan? (He even signed a contract, days before moving to PSG). An extremely competitive center-back, Agger also possesses one beast of a left foot and has scored a few memorable goals. Apart from being slightly injury prone, he possesses no other negatives, and has also worked with Rafa before. But is it possible to get him? Could be lured by money, perhaps.
4. Adil Rami: Currently plying his trade for Valencia, he offers an extremely physical presence at 6’4. One of Valencia’s best player, he needs few reasons to move. Valencia’s financial situation means they need to sell their best players regularly. A bit of convincing from fan favorite Juan Mata and a suitable bid from Chelsea might make it very hard for Valencia to keep their French star within their clutches.
So what do you, the Chelsea fans think? Should Chelsea sign a center-back? If yes, then who? Vote. Comment if any player you would recommend isn’t in the above list.