According to a recent report by the Daily Star, Barcelona’s centre-half Samuel Umtiti’s intermediaries have let Chelsea know that Stamford Bridge is the defender’s preferred transfer destination for the summer if he is forced to leave. The Blues’ search for new players across various areas of the pitch have been no secret, so it’s perhaps not overly surprising that Umtiti has come to this decision.
Despite this, the report suggests that the London side are keen on making a move for the services of Lille’s prodigious young Brazilian centre-half Gabriel Magalhaes.
It has been suggested that Arsenal and Manchester United have also been offered the Frenchman’s services by Barcelona. Frank Lampard though, is keen on making defensive additions to the side, with Fikayo Tomori expected to go out on loan next season and question marks present about the future of Kurt Zouma.
What Would Umtiti Add To This Chelsea Defence?
The Frenchman is still only 26-years-old and undoubtedly has a massive career ahead of him. Also, the fact that the Barca man already won a World Cup at this age further highlights the sheer quality that he possesses.
Capable of slotting in on either side of the central-defensive position, Umtiti could make a good Premier League defender because of the ability to utilise his strength and physicality. Strong in dealing with set-pieces defensively, the former Lyon man is a real threat from attacking set-piece situations as well.
Despite having played at a club like Barcelona for four years now, the Frenchman is yet to win over the fans at the Camp Nou. While it could be argued that a lot of his inconsistencies have been down to his injury-prone nature, the fact remains that a top centre-half needs to be a lot more durable to sustain at the highest level. The defender has been handed just 11 appearances by Barcelona since the start of the season.
Why Chelsea Must Avoid Signing Umtiti At All Costs?
The Frenchman’s lack of dependability and durability will surely be a concern for Lampard. He already has five natural centre-half options to choose from but is still looking for additions. Umtiti, for all the quality that he possesses, just seems to get injured at least twice every season, and that is only going to worsen in the gritty nature of Premier League football. Moreover, the fact that the Frenchman hasn’t been playing regularly at Barcelona could also have an impact on his general performance and fitness levels.
From a Chelsea perspective, it must be argued that Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are both more secure options than Umtiti for the role. Also, the Blues’ interest in prodigious Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes cannot be ignored either. The youngster, at 22, would make much more sense as a summer signing, as he would have a brighter future ahead of him while also costing a lot less money than the Barcelona man.
