Chelsea linked with PSG defender, Marquinhos (R). (imago Images)
According to The Mirror (h/t Football.london), Chelsea are interested in signing PSG defender Marquinhos as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of next season. The Brazilian came to Europe from Corinthians, where he was snapped up by AS Roma. PSG then made a move for him in 2013.
Since then, he has slowly become a mainstay in their defence. Now the captain of his squad, he was a regular fixture throughout last season whenever he was fit for selection. The Blues have already signed Thiago Silva from PSG, and let us see why signing Marquinhos makes a lot of sense for them.
Marquinhos is a defender that Thomas Tuchel would know well. And hence, the links make even more sense considering the German worked with the 27-year-old for nearly two-and-a-half years at PSG. There, he was full of praise for Marquinhos, as he praised his versatility.
The Brazilian can play in defence as well as in defensive midfield. That is something that would be ideal for any manager to have. And Tuchel, during his time as PSG boss in October last year, emphasized just what a leader Marquinhos is. He said (as quoted by Ligue1.com) [h/t football.london]:
“Marquinhos is the heart and soul of our team. That’s why he must play at the heart of the action, but also because he’s talented. He has all the qualities to play in midfield, and has a worker’s mentality… It’s important that he’s close to everybody as he’s the boss.”
Compliments don’t come better than that. Tuchel, in the same interview, also talked about the former Roma defender’s work rate on the field. But perhaps more important than what Marquinhos would potentially bring to Chelsea is the fact that the Blues really need to future-proof their defence.
Chelsea have four central defenders that would be out of contract in the summer of 2022 – Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, and Cesar Azpilicueta. (h/t ESPN)
Now, this raises a problematic situation for the club. Thomas Tuchel’s system of playing with three central defenders already requires added depth in that area but with the Blues on the verge of seeing a number of their players become free agents next year, something has to be done soon.
Marquinhos, at 27, could give his best years at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are already a man short in central defence ahead of next season as Fikayo Tomori has joined AC Milan in a £25million deal. But whatever money Chelsea have made in that deal would be well utilized if spent on a defender like Marquinhos.
It remains to be seen if Chelsea strengthen the defensive department. But fans would recognize central defence as an area where they can do with a new signing.
Marquinhos is PSG’s captain and has won a number of trophies in France. His leadership can be further harnessed at Stamford Bridge. But that, of course, depends on whether Chelsea formalize any potential interest that they may have in him.
