Deal Close – Chelsea Sent Scouts To Watch CB, Player Confirms Chelsea Approach

Chelsea are set to line up an alternative target for Sami Khedira should the deal for the German world cup winner falls through and have identified long term target Giannelli Imbula as the man they could turn to.

The blues have been a long term admirer of the Olympique Marseille defensive midfielder and could well re-ignite their interest in the player when thee transfer window re-opens.

The former Guinngamp man was linked to the club back in 2013 with the player himself confirming Chelsea have made contact with him but a deal failed to materialise with the player deciding it’s not time to leave France.

The player however, signed for Olympic Marseille in July of the same year and after a brilliant first season for the current Ligue 1 table toppers, Chelsea are back to price away the youngster to West London.

It is believe that Chelsea sent scouts to watch the player in the Marseille vs Toulouse game over the weekend and the player was impressive to watch in the game which Marseille won 2-0.

Giannelli Imbula has impressed for Marseille since his £6m move from Guingamp in 2013 and has made 43 appearances for the club scoring 3goals in the process. The 22-year-old is said to be highly rated by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and could make a bid in the region of £25m for the youngster.

Chelsea have been linked with a host of DM with Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira topping the list. Chelsea currently have Nemanja Matic, John Obi Mikel and to a lesser extent Ramires as the defensive midfielders in the club though Marko Van Ginkel(on loan at AC Milan) and Oriol Romeu(on loan at VFB Stuttgart) are also defensive midfielders.

Nemanja Matic seems to be Mourinho preferred DM as he has used the Serbian virtually in every of Chelsea’s game this season. Mikel and Ramires have mostly played as substitute, an indication they are way below Matic in the pecking order. Mourinho’s intent on adding another DM to the squad could well mean that one of Mikel or Ramires will need to be sold.

Ramires has been linked to Real Madrid to Unite with former boss Carlo Ancelotti- the man who brought him to Chelsea while Mikel was thought to be joining Turkish giant Galatasaray.

Imbula joining Chelsea could spell an end to any of Ramires and Mikel as just like Matic he will pin down a regular shirt in the central midfield allowing Mourinho to use Fabregas in his preferred more-attacking role.

Inbula can also play as a central defender if need be- a characteristic Mourinho demands of his players. He can ably stand in for any of Terry and Cahill before Kurt Zouma and Kenneth Omeruo is able to take over as the club’s long term central defensive pair.

Inbula though holding a Democratic Republic of Congo citizenship has represented France at the U-20 and U-21 levels. He will be a good addition to the club as his dribbling and physical style of play will suit the premier league.