World-Class Bundesliga Defender Identified As Top Chelsea Target In January
Dec 1, 2016 at 3:18 PM
To think Chelsea have no glaring weaknesses in their starting XI is somewhat surprising given their lack of significant activity during the summer transfer window.
The Blues spent a relatively modest £115 million or so prior to the late arrival Antonio Conte following the conclusion of his duties with Italy at Euro 2016.
The Italian has inspired three of his first Chelsea signings – N’Golo Kante, David Luiz and Marcos Alonso – to become nailed first team players just a months into his reign.
To be fair, Conte has evoked a hugely positive response from virtually every member of his new squad in comparison to the lifeless performances they produced for much of last season.
But even with his team flying high at the top of the Premier League, the 47-year-old is eager to build on what he already has and looks to be lining up some January transfer business.
ESPN reports the Blues are set to revive their interest in Hoffenheim defender Niklas Sule when the window reopens on the first day of next year.
Conte is thought to be on the hunt for an extra central defender to reinforce his back line, which has so far conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League alongside Tottenham.
Chelsea have also been linked with Burnley’s Michael Keane, Middlesborough’s Ben Gibson and Roma’s Antonio Rudiger, though it would appear their manager is most keen on Sule, whose current deal runs until 2019.
Despite offering as much as €30 million during the summer, the west Londoners reportedly failed to pry the German away from Hoffenheim and subsequently opted to re-sign David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 21-year-old has been operating in a back three system similar to what Conte has introduced at Stamford Bridge, which bodes well for his chances of breaking into the starting XI should he join in the winter.
While he has earned just one senior cap for his national team, Sule looks as if he would be an ideal signing for the Blues, especially with John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic both out of contract next summer.