Yahoo Sports “I just wonder” – Pat Nevin names Premier League star Chelsea should look at signing
Former Blue Pat Nevin feels Chelsea should look at signing Jarrad Branthwaite and wonders if the defender could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Chelsea have made a strong start to the season under Enzo Maresca and following Sunday’s 4-3 win against Tottenham they are now four points behind leaders Liverpool.
The Blues sit outright second, two points ahead of Arsenal in third and four ahead of defending champions Manchester City in fourth.
Nevin thinks Chelsea should look at signing Branthwaite
Chelsea have been exceptional going forward and the are the top scorers in the league with 35 goals in 15 games, but it’s defensively where there have been question marks.
Despite being criticised for their defence the Blues still have the joint third best defence in the league, although there’s clearly a lot of room for improvement.
With Wesley Fofana currently injured and not expected back until 2025, Maresca went with Benoit Badiashile against Spurs, but it’s unclear if he will keep his place against Brentford on Sunday.
Fabrizio Romano last month the Blues were actively monitoring the centre back market with Benfica’s Tomas Araujo said to be a player they like.
It’s not clear if Chelsea will move in January or the summer, but Nevin thinks they should look at signing Branthwaite.
“The central defensive partnership, whoever they use, isn’t close to the level that Arsenal and Liverpool have and you could say the same about the goalkeeper,” he wrote in his BBC Football Extra newsletter.
“I just wonder if Jarrad Branthwaite could be prised from my beloved Everton, would this be close to the final piece of the jigsaw?”
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He was subject to strong interest from Manchester United in the summer, and the Red Devils had multiple bids rejected with Everton holding firm on their £70m valuation.
Branthwaite has struggled with injury this season and has only made seven league appearances for the Toffees, and his current contract expires in 2027.
