Scouting Chelsea Transfer Target Mats Hummels
Chelsea face the prospect of having to rebuild their defence this summer, and they could turn to Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels in their bid to do that.
That's according to Darren Lewis of the Mirror, who recently reported the 27-year-old was a target for Antonio Conte, should the Italian become Jose Mourinho's permanent replacement as Chelsea manager.
So would Hummels strengthen Chelsea's rearguard? What would he offer? Is he a better alternative to what the Blues already have?
Bleacher Report takes a closer look at all the factors surrounding a potential move to the Premier League for Hummels.
John Terry's Replacement
A big area for concern this summer is what Chelsea do without John Terry. It's expected the Chelsea captain will depart Stamford Bridge as he has yet to be offered a new contract to remain at the club beyond the end of this season.
Terry revealed the situation in January, and since then there hasn't been any official confirmation that Chelsea intend to extend his stay in west London.
Despite being 35, Terry's departure would leave a significant hole in the heart of the Chelsea defence. Without a bona fide replacement for him at the club, it means Chelsea would have to look elsewhere, which is where a player of Hummels' reputation comes into it.
The German operates on the left side of central defence for club and country, occupying the same area Terry has done for over a decade at Stamford Bridge.
So not only does he come with his well-known ability as a player, he would fit into what Chelsea need given the other defenders already at the club.
Conte's Formation
Until pre-season starts (and he's officially confirmed as the club's new boss), we can only speculate on what system Conte will play at Chelsea.
Assuming he goes with his favoured 3-5-2, it would mean playing the club's existing defenders in a system they are not overly familiar with. That could cause problems, as players would be unsure of where they're supposed to position themselves, leading to gaps for attackers to exploit.
Conte would have to achieve plenty on the training ground to get this team fine-tuned, and bringing in Hummels would not change that.
Not only would Hummels be adjusting to a new club and league, he too would have to familiarise himself with a defensive setup that is alien to him.
Hummels has long been part of a back four at Dortmund, which has also been the case at international level with Germany.
While the system would be a concern in that regard, there's every reason to believe Hummels would adjust quickly.
Playing with three central defenders is more fluid with ball-carriers—players who are comfortable in possession and can bring it out from the back, feeding the wing-backs and central midfielders. Hummels fits the bill, proving a silky defender at times.
Chelsea can ill afford to have one-dimensional players at the back in Conte's system, so looking to the likes of Hummels to complement Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma would be a wise choice.
Strengths
From the outset, chasing players of Hummels' calibre is a positive sign for what the club is targeting this summer. The Blues know they must attract a certain level of player, and when we consider elite defenders, Hummels is among the best in Europe.
He is strong in possession, which would suit this Chelsea side. The likes of Cesc Fabregas are always eager to drop off to receive the ball from the back, so having Hummels feeding them would only assist Chelsea's attacking movements as they build to go forward.
As a defender, though, he is equally strong. Hummels reads the game well, which means he often finds himself in the right positions to intercept possession from opponents and spot danger.
Despite all the above, the prerequisite for any defender is to be a strong tackler. Hummels doesn't shy away from that side of the game.
Weaknesses
If we're being hypercritical of the German, there is a cause for concern with his aerial ability. There are times when Hummels struggles to deal with crosses and strikers attacking the ball.
That's a big part of the game in England and is where Terry has made his name. The Chelsea captain has been a dominant force in the box because of his strength to outmuscle and outperform opponents in aerial duels.
Hummels would have to improve that side of his game to avoid being caught out in the Premier League.
Will a Move Happen?
Weighing up the situation with Hummels at Dortmund, there's every reason to think this summer of all summers is the time he may well decide to leave the club.
For too long he's been linked with a move away from the Westfalenstadion, but it feels different this time around. His contract will expire in 2017, meaning Dortmund have one last window in which to cash in on him if no new deal is signed.
That gives Hummels all the power and will allow him to dictate where he moves. At 27, he has one big contract left in his career, so a move away from the Bundesliga would allow him to exploit that.
Chelsea may well find themselves behind the leading clubs that will be alerted to his availability. With no Champions League football to offer, would Hummels be willing to sacrifice another year outside of the elite in favour of playing an integral part in the rebuilding project at Stamford Bridge?
For the first time in a long while, Chelsea are looking like a hard sell, which again may prove to Hummels' benefit. The Blues would have to push the boat out to convince him no Champions League football is not an issue. And the only thing that could help counter that in the modern game is a bumper pay packet.
If Chelsea want him, they're going to have pay big. If Hummels wants to leave Dortmund, he has to question the wisdom in walking away from guaranteed European football for a season at least.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.
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