Jose Gimenez (Getty Images)
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea have identified Atletico Madrid star Jose Gimenez to strengthen their backline in the summer.
Gimenez, 25, rose through the ranks of Danubio’s youth system in his homeland of Uruguay and was signed by Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2013. Though he struggled for regular game time initially, he was part of the squad which won the La Liga title in his debut season.
From the following season, he became a key member of Atletico’s defence, forming a strong partnership with fellow countryman Diego Godin until the latter left for Inter Milan. He helped his side lift the Europa League in the 2017/18 campaign, and followed it with a UEFA Super Cup win last season.
However, the Uruguayan has struggled with injuries in the last two seasons and fell down the pecking order under Diego Simeone due to lack of fitness. But, he is one of the best defenders in La Liga when fully fit. And thus, Chelsea should manage to secure the services of the centre-back.
One key area where Lampard should first and foremost address is the backline. The Blues have been vulnerable at the back, having already conceded 54 goals in the league so far. It is the worst defensive record among the top ten teams in the table. And their worst performance came in midweek against Liverpool, where they conceded 5 goals in a match.
While Antonio Rudiger was absent earlier in the campaign, Lampard had limited options at his disposal. Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen have all been terribly inconsistent. Only after the German international returned did the Blues backline show some consistency.
However, that didn’t last long and they are also on the verge of exiting the Champions League competition after a 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the first leg. Thus, to improve their defensive unit next season, the manager should bring in reinforcements.
In that regard, Atletico’s Gimenez would be a crucial addition to the squad. The Uruguayan may not have played a lot this term but he is definitely one of the best centre-backs in Europe. He has already made over 200 appearances at the highest level and has shown immense potential, playing a key role for one of the best defensive teams in Europe.
His inclusion would definitely boost Chelsea’s backline, provided he keeps himself away from injuries. He can go on to form a strong partnership with Rudiger at the heart of the Blues’ defence and can grow into a crucial player. He is also capable of operating as a right-back and in a defensive midfield role. This versatility can provide the manager various options to choose from as well.
At 25, Gimenez has a long way to go in his career and thus, Chelsea should look to lure him to Stamford Bridge in the summer. Given his defensive prowess, he can be a leader at the back and solve their defensive miseries.
