Reports have emerged in recent days suggesting that Chelsea are one of the frontrunners to sign Marcos Senesi. His contract with Bournemouth is set to run out in the summer. That would make him an attractive target for many clubs. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also set to be in close contact with the Argentine international’s agents.
The centre-back position is one that Chelsea need to improve drastically. With Levi Colwill out injured, one could argue that none of their available options are good enough to be starters.
On top of that, it might be time to part ways with some of them. The likes of Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo don’t seem to have a path into the starting XI. Why not replace them with players of higher quality?
Senesi would fit the ball. And if the data is anything to go by, he might be a perfect addition to Chelsea’s backline in the summer.
Data shows Marcos Senesi would bring genuine quality to Chelsea’s backline
Senesi would not be a high-profile signing by any means. He is not someone who has played for a ‘big’ club or competed for the biggest trophies in football. That being said, he is currently topping the Premier League in a variety of metric, both on the defensive side and going forward.
Senesi is one of the best on-ball centre-backs in the Premier League right now. He is calm and composed, and capable of making things happen from deep. The Argentine is in the 100th percentile for assists, expected assists, accurate long balls and chances created. And in terms of big chances created, he is in the 98th percentile as well.
That just goes to show how much he can bring to this Chelsea team while building from the back. But his numbers on the defensive end are quite impressive as well.
Senesi is in the 100th percentile for centre-backs in the Premier League when it comes to recoveries, interceptions and defensive contributions. The Argentine falls in the 98th percentile for blocked shots and clearances. He is also in the 96th percentile for tackles.
Also, it is important not to overlook what the data won’t show. Senesi is Premier League-proven. He is a leader. And at 28 years of age, he is in his prime. Chelsea need all of those things right now.
Data also shows the weaknesses in Marcos Senesi’s game that could worry Chelsea
Of course, it is not all positive. That won’t be the case for any other. There are some weaknesses in Senesi’s game as well, which would be a worry for Chelsea, if they end up signing him.
He wins just 47.8% of his aerial duels. The is in the 13th percentile. On the other hand, Chelsea are a team that have struggled to deal with such situations lately. So, would it be a good idea to add Senesi to that mix?
He also wins just 52.3% of his duels. That is in the 15th percentile. Once again, that could be a red flag for Chelsea, who need solidity at the back.
He is also someone who struggles against genuine pace. He has been dribbled past 23 times this season, one of the worst in the Premier League. For comparison, Virgil van Dijk has been dribbled past once. Considering how often Liam Rosenior’s side seem exposed at the back, that will be an issue as well.
Senesi can be a very good addition, potentially a great one, to this Chelsea team and competition for Colwill. But that is only if Rosenior is able to devise a way in which his weaknesses can be hidden and his strengths highlighted. But since he is available for free in the summer, it is certainly worth making a move. He is a lot better than most centre-backs the Blues have got right now.
