3 Defenders Chelsea Should Target in the 2016 Summer Transfer Window

A big area for new Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte to address when he eventually arrives at Stamford Bridge after Euro 2016 is the defence.

The Blues endured their worst defensive record in 20 years last season when they shipped 53 goals in the Premier League. Not since the 1996/97 campaign had their back line been so porous.

It was a surprise to many as Chelsea’s defence looked solid as they romped to the title in 2014/15, when they conceded just 32 goals to give them the Premier League’s meanest defence.

With key defenders a year older and appearing leggy, Chelsea struggled, though. They lacked the dynamism to compete with athletic strikers and runners from deep. On the flanks they were exposed and it meant the centre-backs were often overworked.

Italian coaches are famed for their defensive acumen, so Conte will need to live up to that if he is to reverse Chelsea’s fortunes. He will need to start by adding some new faces, so we’ve highlighted three players who can help with the job at hand.

 

John Stones

Club: Everton

Nationality: English

Age: 22

After an underwhelming season with Everton, it seems the buzz around John Stones has subsided somewhat. His reputation isn’t quite at the same levels it was last summer when Chelsea were attempting to prise him away from the Toffees, per the Guardian.

Since the Blues’ failure to land him, Stones has come in for criticism for his desire to play out from the back and has developed a reputation for being error-prone.

Having just turned 22 at the weekend, it should be expected those problems will torment Stones right now. He is far from from becoming the finished article and is at a stage of his career where he needs to leave Everton to take the next step in his development.

We’ve seen time and again in the past where promising young talents outstay their welcome at one club. Stones has achieved all he can at Goodison Park and needs the challenge of elite football to bring him on that bit more.

Chelsea can’t offer him European football next season, but in Conte they have a manager who is a master tactician.

Stones can supplement a lack of European football with daily training sessions under Conte to improve his tactical acumen and also develop as a defender. His mentor would become John Terry and not Phil Jagielka.

Rio Ferdinand on John Stones: “He should continue his style of play. I’m someone who understands the way he plays” pic.twitter.com/H5VJziHjrG

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) April 3, 2016

We saw something similar with Rio Ferdinand, a player who Stones is attempting to emulate with his style.

Ferdinand fancied himself as much as a footballer as he did a defender, and in his early years at West Ham United, it proved to his detriment. The former England international made the same mistakes as Stones is now, but importantly he learned from them.

It wasn’t until he joined Leeds United that he …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com