Three Reasons Why Chelsea Don’t Need To Invest Heavily On A Centre-Back This Month

Chelsea have been on a prime form this season and are currently occupying the top spot in the Premier League standings. New manager Antonio Conte has worked wonders at the Stamford Bridge, with his revolutionary 3-4-3 setup, that has been extremely effective.

The Blues’ defence has been in excellent touch ever since the change in the shape. The three first-choice centre-backs Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill have been as solid as they come. And they have some decent options on the bench to call upon if need be. But the Blues continue to be linked with a move for centre-backs in the transfer window.

Here we give you three reasons why Conte and Chelsea don’t need to invest heavily on a centre-half:

Andreas Christensen’s imminent Return

Andreas Christensen has developed into one of the finest young central defenders in recent times. Having spent the past one and a half seasons on loan with German side Borussia Monchengladbach, the Chelsea loanee has gone on to build his reputation strongly with excellent displays at the back for Gladbach.

Having joined the German outfit in 2015 as an 18-year old, on a two-year loan spell, the Danish defender has been a super-hit, making 44 Bundesliga appearances across the two seasons. This term the 20-year old has been solid as a rock, having made an average 6 defensive actions per game while winning close to 60% of his duels. What has been excellent to his see is, his ability to find his teammates from the deeper areas with a whopping pass accuracy of 91%.

Chelsea wanted to bring him back for quite some time now, but the deal with Monchengladbach did not allow that. And the German side wants to make the move a permanent one. However, Christensen’s father-cum-agent has confirmed that he will be returning to the Bridge in the summer. With Christensen back in their ranks, the defence will become much stronger and more solid.

Azpilicueta’s Established Performances as a Centre-Back

Cesar Azpilicueta has been a revelation as a right-sided centre-back this term for Conte and Chelsea. The versatile defender, who could operate as a right-back and left-back was moved into an unfamiliar role by the Italian and Azpilicueta has looked completely at home in his new position.

The Spaniard, in his 20 Premier League appearances this term, has thrived at the heart of the defence making 42 interceptions and exactly the double number of clearances and averages a high 7 defensive actions per game. He has not shied away from the physical battle, having won 54% of his 68 attempted aerial duels and has won 37 of his 78 tackle attempts.

The 27-year old is equally adept at carrying the ball out of defence, having won 7 out of 9 take-ons and can pick a pass with precision, averaging a pass success rate of 88%. One assist and 12 chances created, Azpilicueta has been effective in getting his team on the front-foot while being extremely solid at the back. He has owned the position and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him continue there for years to come at Stamford Bridge.

Enough Quality in Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake

Club captain John Terry has been relegated to watching the action from the sidelines this term and having not been offered a new contract, his time as a Chelsea player looks to drawing to an end. And it is the same for another long-serving Blues’ player Branislav Ivanovic, who is also headed towards the exit doors.

However, in Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake, Chelsea have enough quality to cover the first-choice trio of the centre-halves. Zouma, who has spent a long time on the sidelines, showed his capabilities in his first season at the Bridge under Jose Mourinho, displacing Terry from the starting XI. Unafraid, unabashed, extremely physical, Zouma is an excellent option to have to call upon.

And the Blues further increased their strength recalling the versatile Nathan Ake, who was on loan at Bournemouth. The Dutchman who can operate as a left-sided centre-back, a left-back and in defensive midfield, had spent the last term on loan with Watford and had excelled at the Vicarage Road. And having joined the Cherries for this campaign, Ake was one of their best players and his performances seem to have caught the eye of Conte who recalled him to Stamford Bridge earlier in January.

Both Ake and Zouma maybe young but have a decent amount of experience in the Premier League and can challenge the first-teamers for a regular spot. With a plethora of options, another new centre-back addition doesn’t seem warranted for the Blues.