Marina Granovskaia to complete Frank Lampard’s squad with two transfers
According to Football London, Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes his old club still need to strengthen in the centre-back position in the upcoming transfer windows.
The Blues signed Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr over the summer, with the latter moving on a season-long loan deal to Porto.
Silva – who is 35-years-old – has really impressed during his opening games for Frank Lampard ‘s side, showing his experience and quality alongside Kurt Zouma.
Chelsea’s defence have improved drastically so far this season, with Lampard’s team going on a five-match clean sheet streak recently (in all competitions), before conceding against Sheffield United just before the international break.
However, Hasselbaink thinks that Roman Abramovich and Marina Granovskaia should still aim to strengthen in the central defensive area in either January or next summer, with concerns over Silva’s age.
The Dutchman, when speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Leeds v Arsenal, said: “I still think Chelsea need another centre-half. Thiago Silva has come in – but he’s 35.
“He’s probably got another year in him at best after this season, so you need someone to come in who will take over from him – but you then need another name who can play next to that person.”
Hasselbaink continued: “Chelsea almost signed Virgil van Dijk a few years ago – so why didn’t they? I don’t think anyone comes close to him in that position. He’s far and above every other central defender.
“I know why he signed for Liverpool. I know that he spoke to Chelsea and there was talk of him coming to Chelsea, but he felt that Antonio Conte didn’t really do his best to sign him. “And that is true because I heard from another player that van Dijk was going to sign.
” Jurgen Klopp really knocked him off his feet – he made him feel special, told him his plans and very much made van Dijk know he was a part of those plans, and apparently Conte didn’t even bother talking to him that much.
“If you have that quality as a manager that you can talk to great players and persuade them to join your club, it will save you a lot of money.
“If you don’t have to persuade them with money and you can persuade them by making them feel a million dollars, then of course it’s a lot better. That’s something Arsenal have in Mikel Arteta. “A lot of people are talking about Kalidou Koulibaly but he’s 29-years-old and would be very expensive.
“I actually quite like the Leicester defender, Caglar Soyuncu. I think he’d be very good at Chelsea. “Also the defender at Inter Milan, Milan Skriniar – everybody is talking about him, another very good player. So there are players out there, but it’s such a difficult position to fill at the moment.
“I would also like to see another creative midfielder. I like Mason Mount, but maybe somebody to play alongside him. “Havertz is there, I know, but you want healthy, quality competition in that area. I don’t think Chelsea are far off at all.”