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Chelsea FC To Sign Papy Djilobodji

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

By Excellences (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Excellences (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons /
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Chelsea FC are closing in on a deal for FC Nantes defender Papy Djilobodji

Chelsea FC are reportedly on the verge of strengthening their defence by acquiring Papy Djilobodji from Ligue 1 outfit FC Nantes. The 26-year-old defender is highly-rated in France.

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Seemingly out of nowhere, Chelsea have been linked with the Senegalese centre-back with the club desperately looking to secure some extra defenders before the transfer deadline tomorrow evening. The Blues have accepted defeat in their pursuit of Everton’s John Stones, with the Merseyside club refusing to let their star man go, and have turned their attention to a range of alternatives.

The club have been associated with players such as Marquinhos and Aymen Abdennour, but The Daily Mail reports this morning that Chelsea are eyeing Djilobodji instead. In fact, the paper claims that negotiations are ongoing between the clubs’ respective officials.

"Chelsea have spoke to Nantes about defender Papy Djilobodji…Chelsea are pursuing various options as they look to strengthen a defence that has looked vulnerable in recent weeks."

This is an incredibly surprising development as the only English club that has been linked with Papy so far this summer has been Sunderland. Now Chelsea are in the mix for Nantes’ key defender and the story has gathered traction throughout both traditional and social media.

Some people on Twitter are even claiming that Djilobodji is at Stamford Bridge for a medical as we speak. Meanwhile, Blues fans in general have been reacting to the news and the mood seems split.

The 6ft 3in centre-back was an integral part of the Nantes defence last season, playing 31 Ligue 1 games and helping the club keep the sixth meanest backline in terms of goals conceded. Since joining Nantes in 2009, he has made over 180 competitive appearances for the team and has established himself as one of the best defensive talents in the French top flight.

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His form over the last couple of years has afforded him a spot in the Senegal national senior team as well, with whom he participated in the 2015 Africa Cup Of Nations.

Despite all this, there will undoubtedly be Chelsea fans disappointed with this news. Djilobodji does look a decent player, but is he the world-class talent that the Blues should be attracting and signing?

After the John Stones debacle in which the club was willing to spend close to £40million, a move for a relatively unknown defender who plays for a lower-mid table French team seems desperate.

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Having said that, it must be noted that some of Chelsea’s best transfer dealings have been of similar nature. Didier Drogba and Michael Essien spring to mind, but if Jose Mourinho and his scouts feel that Djilobodji has been unjustifiably spared attention, then we should just take their word for it.

This is going to be an interesting 24 hours or so as time approaches the 18:00 BST deadline on Tuesday. Will Chelsea complete this move? Or is this all just hot air? I have no idea but make sure you keep with The Pride Of London as we will cover all Chelsea transfer stories as the window shuts.

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