As per one of the latest reports by Express, Chelsea are perceived to be thoroughly interested to sign Barcelona’s centre-back, Samuel Umtiti, in the summer. The Blues have hardly performed like the defending Premier League champions this season and Antonio Conte’s future at Stamford Bridge is apparently up in the air.
It is touted that the former Barca manager, Luis Enrique, would replace Conte next season and there have been reports stating that Enrique has demanded that Chelsea must sign Umtiti if they are desirous to see him taking the steering wheel of the club. It is believed that Enrique sees the French international as the potential replacement for David Luiz, who has been timorous under Conte.
Umtiti emerged through the youth ranks of Lyon and was eventually elevated to the senior side of the Ligue 1 outfit. After playing more than a century of games for Lyon, he was lured to Camp Nou in the summer of 2016. Slowly but surely, he cemented his place in the starting line-up and has proven to be the staple in his side’s back line for quite some time now.
The 24-year-old is a strong central defender who is mobile, athletic and efficient in catering to his defensive duties. Umtiti has made a remarkable progress in such a short span of time owing to the calibre he makes uses of and the consistency that he showcases. He is a calm, composed and confident player and there is no denying that he gives a touch of assurance for the Spanish giants at the back.
He moves the ball out of the back in a meticulous fashion and generally starts the attacking artistry of Barcelona. More often than one, one can see him making superb tackles and interceptions and is good at passing the ball. Besides, he holds the ball well and reads the game spectacularly. So far this season, Umtiti has garnered 20 appearances in La Liga, and has mustered 2.1 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, 2.7 clearances and 0.6 block per game on an average.
It would not be easy for the reigning English champions to get hold of Umtiti as he has become an important player for Barcelona. However, Chelsea would strike gold if they manage to get hold of him, for he would inject some freshness to their back line and would upgrade the quality of their defence. He would be operating as the centre-back for Chelsea and bring the element of resilience back, if the move materializes.
