Chelsea Transfer News: Ezequiel Garay Talks Held Amid Latest Blues Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly opened negotiations with Zenit Saint Petersburg about a transfer for Argentina international defender Ezequiel Garay.

According to Steve Mitchell (translated by David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com), "talks are now in progress" between the two clubs regarding a potential move for the centre-back, who has also been subject to interest from Roma. It’s noted in the piece that the English champions are now in "pole position" to bring Garay to the Premier League.

Here’s a look at why the former Benfica man has long been rated as one of the best defenders around:

It's a position Chelsea could do with some reinforcements in. Jose Mourinho's side have already conceded seven goals in their opening three matches, which is uncharacteristic for a team managed by someone who prides himself on defensive solidity.

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Even their skipper, John Terry, is having a tough time of things at the moment, having been dragged off at half-time against Manchester City and sent off against West Bromwich Albion last time out. As former England international Gary Lineker noted, he’s not been on the pitch much recently:

The Blues have pursued John Stones throughout the summer months, but Everton have been staunch in their standpoint, insisting the defender is not for sale, per Jamie Jackson of the Guardian. So perhaps it’s little surprise they've turned to Garay with time running out in the window.

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Having played for Real Madrid, Benfica and Zenit, he's got experience, and under Andre Villas-Boas, Garay has taken his game on further. As we can see here, courtesy of WhoScored.com, he’s also a player who has proved his quality on the biggest stage:

If the Blues have grown tired of chasing Stones, then Garay would be a quality alternative. The Zenit man is an authoritative presence at the back, a superb reader of the game and someone who has an uncompromising streak, which suggests he would be perfect for the Premier League.

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Whether the Russian giants are ready to sell is another story, and if Chelsea are willing to part with around £40 million for Stones, as Jackson notes, then you can bet they’d want a similar sort of sum for their defensive talisman. For Zenit, finding a replacement who possesses quite the same quality would be an almighty ask.

But from the Blues’ perspective, this is a deal that would be a lot more straightforward than one for Stones at this stage of the window, and Garay is a player who looks capable of adding some immediate quality to what’s becoming a problem position for Mourinho.