Chelsea FC Linked With Giannelli Imbula
Reports have surfaced this morning suggesting that Chelsea FC are looking to bring Giannelli Imbula to Stamford Bridge over the summer. The 22 year old midfielder joined his current club, Olympique de Marseille, in July 2013.
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This is not the first time that the West London club have been linked with the player, with rumours associating both parties stretching as far back as October 2013, when Chelsea scout Guy Hillion confirmed his interest.
While the reported target fee was £25 million back then, Jose Mourinho is now looking to secure him for around £20 million although competition for the youngster’s signature is thought to be high. Juventus, Arsenal and Real Madrid are just a few of the clubs that have supposedly eyed Imbula up following his €7.5 million move to Marseille from Guingamp.
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A holding midfielder, Imbula has drawn comparisons with French greats such as Patrick Vieira and Claude Makélélé, the latter of whom is a player the Blues have never truly replaced. Imbula has played 72 times in all competitions for Marseille, netting three goals with three assists. More impressive meanwhile, especially to his role, is his disciplinary record as he has collected only six yellow cards in that time. The only red card that he has seen was retrospectively rescinded.
Internationally, although qualifying for both Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo as well, he has not yet made a senior appearance with participation being limited to French youth teams.
With his age and the adulation he has already received, this may well be a sound investment for the Chelsea brass to make. However, due to high interest and the fact that his contract runs through to 2018, should these compliments be grounded a bidding war may ensue pushing the price higher.
Imbula has drawn comparisons with greats such as Patrick Vieira and Claude Makélélé
Additionally, Chelsea are also linked with Paul Pogba and Morgan Schneiderlin, both of whom are much more polished and proven players at this stage. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also an option, with the home-grown highly-rated player being bled into the senior team this season. More prominently, though, there are conflicting reports about whether Imbula would be keen to move at this moment anyway.
So, should Mourinho pursue Imbula at this (or a potentially higher) price? Or would it be better for Chelsea to secure a more medium-term solution while grooming Loftus-Cheek for the future like Mourinho said he would.
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