Chelsea Transfer News: Faouzi Ghoulam Interest Reported, Latest Blues Rumours

Napoli full-back Faouzi Ghoulam is reportedly a transfer target for Chelsea in January, but the Blues will face stiff competition for his signature. 

According to Le Buteur (h/t Goal), Chelsea would have no problem meeting the asking price of £24 million for the Algeria international, but Arsenal, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be keen on landing the left-back.

In the report, it’s suggested Chelsea manager Antonio Conte wanted to sign a centre-back in the summer window but has now shifted focus to the adaptable Ghoulam.

Since moving to Napoli from Saint Etienne in 2014, the 25-year-old has gone on to become one of the most balanced defensive players in Serie A. Here is a look at what he can offer:

As aforementioned, the Algeria star is a versatile footballer. Typically he’s been used as a left-back as part of a back four, although Ghoulam has also shown with Napoli and his national side that he’s confident operating further forward on the left flank as a wing-back.

These numbers from Squawka Football show that when the defender does find himself in advanced positions, he’s capable of making a contribution, too:

For a manager like Conte, who demands that his players be adaptable to different situations and systems, Ghoulam could potentially be an ideal purchase. The Napoli man is physical, energetic and would provide another option for the Blues in a position where they only have one natural senior option in Marcos Alonso.

Napoli wouldn’t be too willing to move the player on, as he’s become an important part of their play going forward and in defence. However, if an offer of £24 million was to be lodged, Ghoulam would surely be keen to change his surroundings.

Blues Linked with Niklas Sule

Michael Probst/Associated Press

According to Peter O’Rourke of ESPN FC, Chelsea will return for Hoffenheim defender Niklas Sule in the January transfer window having failed to agree a deal in the summer.

O'Rourke reported that Bayern Munich are also interested in the impressive 21-year-old, who has shown signs of wonderful potential in the early stages of his career. Conte wants to add a centre-back to his squad, and the Germany international is said to be someone that fits the bill.

As noted by O’Rourke, Sule has “been playing in a back three similar to that employed by Chelsea, which makes him an even more attractive proposition.”

Here is a look at why many consider the centre-back to be among the brightest prospects in European football:

Since switching to a three-man defence, Chelsea have excelled in the Premier League, soaring to the summit of the division with a string of exceptional performances.

David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta all look at ease at the base of the 3-4-3; here’s how they have fared so far this term compared to Sule in league matches:

	Luiz	Cahill	Azpilicueta	Sule
Apps (Sub)	9	13	13	11
Goal	0	1	0	1
Tackles per game	1.2	1.4	2.7	2.0
Interceptions per game	1.3	1.6	1.7	1.6
Clearances per game	5.4	3.9	3.2	2.7
Blocks per game	0.8	0.6	0.2	0.5
Passing accuracy	83.1%	88.1%	88.7%	89.1%

Sule has all the assets needed to become a top-quality centre-back in the future. He seems to relish the defensive side of the game, as he’s hungry to make challenges and hurl himself in front of goal-bound shots.

Naturally, there are areas he can improve, most notably in terms of his distribution and using his frame more effectively. But his attributes are still very much malleable, and working alongside a coach of Conte’s calibre, there would be a fine chance of Sule fulfilling his potential at Stamford Bridge.