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.

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 …

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