Chelsea will be looking to sign at least one centre-back this summer. That is pretty much an open secret at this point in time. The Blues have been linked with a number of players in that position in recent times but no deal has happened so far. Will that change this summer? One would hope so.
Lately, Chelsea have been linked with a variety of centre-backs. Some of them are Premier League-proven like Jan Paul van Hecke and Maxence Lacroix. Others are known to Xabi Alonso, like Edmond Tapsoba. And then there are those who would fit the system, like Ousmane Diomande.
Now, another name has been added to that list. Someone who broke through in English football but has made a name for himself in Ligue 1.
According to Joao van Boysen, Chelsea are on the verge of advancing for Charlie Cresswell from Toulouse. The English defender has been monitored by the Blues for some time.
Who is Charlie Cresswell, the Toulouse centre-back wanted by Chelsea?
Cresswell currently plays for Toulouse. And he has been the best centre-back in Ligue 1 in a number of departments.
Going forward, there is no doubt that he has been the best. Last season, he scored the most goals, expected goals, shots, shots on targets and headed shots.
Of course, if Chelsea sign a centre-back, it would to defend and build out from the back, which is also very important in Alonso’s system.
Cresswell’s passing is not elite. But it is decent. And the numbers do suggest that he is a bit more open to taking risks. He is in the 86th percentile for assists, 87th percentile for accurate long balls and 88th percentile for chances created. The efficiency is not as high, but that is a trade off he seems to be willing to make.
Cresswell has also won more duels and aerial duels than any other centre-back in Ligue 1. He is in the 98th percentile for blocked shots, 92nd percentile for clearances and 91st percentile for defensive contributions.
Would Cresswell be a good signing?
Am I saying that Cresswell is an elite centre-back already? Well, no. There are areas in his game which still need improvement.
He got dribbled past 20 times, which puts him in the 4th percentile in Ligue 1. He was also dispossessed on eight occasions, putting him in the 10th percentile.
So, opposition players are finding a way to get past him quite regularly. And he is also someone who can get dispossessed with the ball at his feet.
The eye test does suggest that he is rapid, at least when it comes to short-to-medium distances. And he is not afraid to make a sliding tackle to win the ball back, if the situation calls for it.
It is an exciting style of defending for sure. Something Chelsea fans will associate with a rising Kurt Zouma, before his injury. But then again, it means that he gives away fouls quite often, and that can get frustrating.
Overall, Cresswell is an interesting profile for sure. Is he what Chelsea need? That will depend on the role Alonso envisions him in, if the Spaniard is interested at all.
