The transfer window does throw some surprise buys, either to show other clubs the financial strength or as panic buys. Chelsea, who have always bought wisely, especially when Jose Mourinho is in charge seem to have hit the panic button and are set to sign a defender to solve their issues. We are not talking about John Stones, whom the Blues have been monitoring from the start of the window and whose parent club, Everton, have rejected almost every advance the English Champions have made. Everton and Roberto Martinez have stood firm and declined to sell Stones, so the Blues had to look elsewhere and they did, all the way in France.
Papy Djilobodji could be the next Blue signing
Papy Djilobodji, who many might not have heard about is a Senegalese central defender from Ligue 1 club Nantes. The 27-year-old started his career and earned his first cap with ASC Saloum before moving to the French league with US Senart-Moissy. He impressed at the club before signing for one time giants in the French league, Nantes.
After five seasons at the club, he helped them get back to the top flight last season and was set to continue playing for them but with him entering the last 12 months of his contract, he wants a move out from the club and other clubs have tried to sign the defender. Nantes have also ensured that Papy trains with the developmental squad and is a surety to leave the Ligue 1 club at the end of the transfer window.
Chelsea have tabled a bid of £4 million for the defender and it seems the club have accepted the offer from the Blues. Just how well he fits into the scheme of things will need to be seen, he would be playing in a new league with a demanding manager who expects everyone to put in their best. Papy did have a great season with Nantes last time around but surely this is a gamble, if he is the only defender to join Chelsea in this transfer window.
He might not be the most costly player in the world and this could be a calculated risk which does work out well for the Champions, remember the likes of Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho, two players who have recently come from the French league have done incredibly well at their respective clubs. Papy would be signing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe and hopefully he can help Chelsea’s defence get rock solid as it has been for so many seasons.