Scouting Chelsea Transfer Target Shkodran Mustafi
The new Premier League season starts on Saturday, August 13—well, it's strictly August 15 for Chelsea as they face West Ham United on Monday—and still the Blues are yet to sign any new defensive talent.
We've seen Michy Batshauyi and N'Golo Kante reinforce Antonio Conte's options up front and in midfield, respectively, yet defensive additions have not been forthcoming.
Not since 1996/97 had Chelsea conceded 50-plus goals in a Premier League season, but it's what happened last term. A big part of that was a weak underbelly in midfield—hence the signing of Kante—although problems across the back four were just as crucial in those failings.
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As things stand, Conte has just four recognised first-team defenders to choose from ahead of his opening match against West Ham United. They are John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta, backed up by the uninspiring Papy Djilobodji and Michael Hector, along with the relative inexperience of Matt Miazga and Ola Aina. The latter has forced his way into contention during pre-season.
Kurt Zouma remains on the comeback trail from a serious knee injury, and outside of him, Chelsea's other defensive options are youngsters Jake Clarke-Salter and Fikayo Tomori.
The manager needs at least one experienced player added to that short list, especially as left-back Baba Rahman has joined Schalke on loan for the season.
Step forward Shkodran Mustafi, the Valencia and Germany international defender who is now being linked with a move to west London by the Daily Mail's Simon Jones.
It's reported that Chelsea are prepared to offer £25 million for his services, while he has a £41 million release clause that will all but guarantee Chelsea's chances of prising him away from the Mestalla.
So of all the defenders Chelsea could be chasing in the transfer window, is Mustafi the right choice? Well, let's take a closer look.
Position
He may well be a defender by trade, so he fits the bill of where Chelsea need to be looking, but Mustafi isn't exactly what the Blues require in this moment. With Terry and Cahill being the standout first-choice centre-back pairing at Stamford Bridge right now, Conte has bigger concerns elsewhere along the back line.
With either Terry or Cahill out, Ivanovic demonstrated last season he's capable of filling in in central areas. He started out as a centre-back, and with his ageing legs, he is exposed less often through the middle. And then there is Zouma, who will be challenging for a starting place again when back fit.
It's on the flanks where Chelsea need to be reinforcing as a matter of priority, and Mustafi plays centrally.
The full-backs are a big concern. Azpilicueta continues to play out of position on the left, and Ivanovic's problems from last term have been evident in pre-season. He lacks the same explosive pace of old, and that leaves him isolated. From there, Cahill's need to cover creates gaps and defenders are pulled out of position.
Aina may have got some positive attention in the past few weeks, but his performance against Real Madrid on Saturday showed the faults in his game when up against a seasoned campaigner like Marcelo. Real were ruthless against the youngster, and he struggled.
Aina isn't ready to be starting every week, and right now, Chelsea need to unearth a defender who is. Whether that means a left-back is signed to allow Azpilicueta to return to his more natural position or not is a matter of opinion for where Conte sees his long-term future; the fact remains, Chelsea's options on the flanks are severely limited.
Mustafi isn't an upgrade on Cahill or Terry. His signing hints at him playing more of a supporting role, which breeds confidence for the longevity of a league season but doesn't ultimately strengthen Chelsea's starting XI.
The German sits between the likes of Djilobodji and the first-team, more likely to be competing for status as the third in line for a starting place in central defence than being an immediate first-choice.
Strengths
Having been on Everton's books from 2009 to 2012, it makes sense that Mustafi comes with strengths to his game that are ideal for English football. He may have only made appearances that total in single figures for the Toffees, but there's no doubt a Premier League influence has rubbed off on his game.
The 24-year-old is strong in the air and isn't tackle shy, either. He has the physical attributes to front it and compete with the stronger forwards we find in the Premier League.
He's demonstrated a knack for reading the game well, too, which means he can be adept at intercepting play and breaking up attacks.
It's what the stats don't show where Mustafi isn't as strong as the likes of Cahill and Zouma. Without number crunching, rating any player becomes subjective and is based on ones interpretation of the game, so comparisons with that pair and Mustafi will divide opinion.
Mustafi isn't as quick as Zouma and lacks the same intensity as Cahill. The latter has complemented Terry in recent years, creating a strong bond with his captain. They work off each other and Cahill has become a better defender for it.
Throw in Zouma's youthful exuberance with that raw pace and he's had a similar impact on Terry. Zouma has improved his positioning and tactical nous also.
It's difficult to see Mustafi coming in and doing enough to rival that. He isn't in the class of defender to not only provide a threat, but have the substance to overcome it.
It feels like Chelsea are setting their sights too low.
The Italian influence
After leaving Everton in 2012, Mustafi joined Sampdoria. He helped Samp get promoted from Serie B and played a further season in Genoa as they embarked on their first year back in the top flight.
He played under Ciro Ferrara and Delio Rossi in that time—two Italian managers who would have helped ingrain him in the culture of calcio.
Perhaps it's this element that has spiked Conte's rumoured interest. Sure, he's a different manager from those Mustafi called boss at Sampdoria, but there will be cultural similarities.
Already we've seen an Italian influence on the way Chelsea have played this summer. Conte is drumming home a desire to restore a solid base at the back, which Rahman explained was a big reason for him leaving on loan this term.
"Conte told me that he wants his team to be very defensive, but I am a rather offensive full-back," Rahman told Ruhr Nachrichten (per the Evening Standard's Vaishali Bhardwaj). "So I would have had very little playing time. Conte advised me to leave on loan."
It's a remarkable insight in to how the Chelsea boss is planning to set up, and with a player such as Mustafi potentially available, his Serie A and B experience will play into Conte's way of thinking.
That's a side of the Italian culture that courses through Conte's footballing soul. It's why he's no stranger to the touchline, barking out orders to his players. It isn't a need to criticise them but more a desire for them to maintain their defensive shape at all times from front to back.
It's that sort of approach that got Italy as far they did at Euro 2016. With a team devoid of stars and individual talent, Conte's Azzurri surprised many. They reached the quarter-final as a team, and he needs his Chelsea players to buy into that ideal.
Is Mustafi the right fit for Chelsea?
On the surface, the short answer is no. Defence is the one area where Chelsea need to be making significant improvements on the players they already have. Mustafi doesn't fit the bill in that regard.
Whereas there are plenty of options in midfield, defence is extremely limited. Conte can tinker with his attackers as he has so much talent to choose from, but right now, his team selection at the back is being forced upon him.
The impression is that Mustafi is only going to confuse it all the more. It's not exactly clear where he would fit in and who he would be replacing.
For other players such as Leonardo Bonucci, who we expected to be part of the conversation this summer, their standout qualities outline how they would strengthen Chelsea's rearguard.
That's not the case with Mustafi. It seems he would be added quantity over quality.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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