With Chelsea’s deal to sign John Stones dragging out, there is a possibility the deal won’t happen this summer or even at all. The Blues are publicly searching for a central defender to boost their squad depth and we thought the alternatives are worth investigating. It’s clear that Jose Mourinho would prefer a player in their early twenties, someone who can learn from the likes of John Terry and Gary Cahill. To learn from one of the greatest central defenders the world has ever seen can only boost the ability of any upcoming defender. Any potential signing should look no further than the progress Kurt Zouma has made this season under John Terry’s wing.
Jose Gimenez.
The Uruguayan defender plays his club football for Chelsea’s Spanish friends Atletico Madrid. Standing at 6-foot-1-inches, the centre back appeared 26 times for Atletico in what became his breakthrough season. Atletico have recently became famous for their defensive ability with the likes of Diego Godin and Miranda on their books. For Gimenez to record 26 appearances while vying with those pair is some achievement. Miranda has recently signed for Inter Milan though, so now Gimenez has the perfect opportunity to cement his place in the starting line-up. However, the prospect of playing in the Premier League for the champions is surely something any player would consider and Gimenez is no different. Only 20-years-old, it’s likely he’ll have 10-15 years of top level football ahead of him, that is if he reaches his potential.
Aymeric Laporte.
The 21-year-old centre back also applying his trade in Spain has already racked up 83 appearances for Athletic Bilbao. At such a young age, this top level experience is invaluable and surely something that will impress Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. Laporte’s versatility is also something worth noting as he’s been deployed at left back on occasions too. Yet to make a senior appearance for the French national team, it could well be that in a couple of seasons he’ll be starting alongside Kurt Zouma for both country and possibly club. This national bond could only aid their potential partnership, as seen by John Terry and Gary Cahill. To become a formidable centre-back partnership, understanding each other is key and this factor could well be something worth investing in.
Raphael Varane.
The most talked about young central defender on the planet is obviously a target for just about every team with a lucrative budget. With Pepe and Sergio Ramos reportedly on the verge of signing new contracts, Raphael Varane may rethink his future in the Spanish capital. The highly-sought after defender has already played 65 games for Real Madrid and has also appeared 21 times for the French national team. Just like Laporte, Varane shares a nationality with Kurt Zouma and as previously stated that can only increase their potential as a possible partnership. However, last September Varane signed a new six-year contract with Madrid which means if a deal were to be struck, he definitely won’t come cheaply. Add Madrid manager Rafa Benitez to the mix and the chances of this deal is looking extremely unlikely.
