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Could this Manchester United midfielder be a Chelsea target to replace Nemanja Matic?
Having a position named in your honour is a privilege granted to few players. Claude Makélélé is one such case, with his surname used as shorthand for everything a defensive midfielder should be. A year ago, it seemed as if Nemanja Matic was acquiring a similar status. The Serb was the Premier League’s most domineering and complete central midfielder, instrumental in Chelsea’s 2014-15 title win having arrived in the previous January transfer window. His performance is Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Manchester City in February 2014 caught the attention of fans and pundits of all stripes.
Like many of his team-mates however, Matic cut a timid figure last season as Chelsea put up the limpest title defence in Premier League history. The old assurance in possession and bite in the tackle seemed to have evaporated; John Terry in particular, suffered without a resistant screen in front of him.
It seemed; from the outside at least, that there was a problem between Matic and Jose Mourinho, so it was something of a surprise to see the new Manchester United boss linked with a move for one of his old charges. With Juventus purportedly interested too, we put forward three possible candidates to replace him at Stamford Bridge. Let us know who you think would be the best option in the comments section below.
Axel Witsel – Zenit St Petersburg
For an age it seemed as if Witsel’s Belgium team-mate Radja Nainggolan was Chelsea’s prime midfield target, but he has ruled out a move away from Roma. suggest Chelsea are ready to fix their sights on Witsel, who is also wanted by Everton.
Witsel was a regular fixture in Belgium’s team at Euro 2016, though he was often left to marshal an unmanned central midfield on his own. At 27, Witsel is experienced enough to go straight into first-team action, but young enough to warrant a lengthy contract. His four years at Zenit brought one league title and one domestic cup, and Witsel is the calibre of player you feel should be plying his trade in one of Europe’s stronger leagues.
How he fared in the Champions League will give Chelsea a better idea of his capabilities and adaptability. In seven appearances in the Champions League last season, Witsel completed 86% of his passes, averaged four defensive actions per game and won 60% of his duels. His statistics compare favourably with Matic, who in five Champions League appearances averaged four defensive actions per game also, completed 84% of his passes and won 56% of his duels.
Morgan Schneiderlin – Manchester United
Stamford Bridge regulars may be underwhelmed by the prospect of signing a ‘United reject’, but a move for Schneiderlin might suit all parties. Schneiderlin struggled in his first season at Old Trafford, failing to hold down a regular spot in the team though not aided by Louis Van Gaal’s freestyle squad rotation.
An excellent athlete, the Frenchman impressed at Southampton as a ball-winning midfielder with the engine to get in the box on occasion as well. However, he looked rather incongruous in United’s possession based style, taking four touches when two would suffice. Schneiderlin would have to improve in this department to settle at Chelsea, as Conte encourages his teams to play out from the back.
In the Premier League last season, Schneiderlin had an impressive pass completion rate of 89% across his 29 appearances, averaged four defensive actions per game but won only 35% of his duels. Whether he is available to make the move depends on the opinion formed by Mourinho at Carrington, and it is likely he will want to keep him at least for his first season at United.
N’Golo Kanté – Leicester City
Sometimes the obvious solution is the best one, and it would be a big surprise if Chelsea were not on the case, should Kanté become available. The Frenchman covers more ground that Matic who tends to hold his position, but one can envisage Kanté being a useful asset in Conte’s 3-5-2 system that requires midfielders to shuffle across to defend in wide areas.
Every football fan in England is now familiar with his relentless energy levels, but he also combines this stamina with a cute positional sense. There are players in all four divisions who can run all day, but don’t run into the right space at the right time. Kanté possesses this happy knack, attracting the ball like a magnet and stopping opposition counters by pouncing on the ball high up the pitch.
He is also sharper in possession than many assume, playing short but incisive passes through the lines to set off one of Leicester’s trademark counter attacks. This contrasts with Schneiderlin who can appear quite ‘stodgy’ with the ball. So much of modern-day football is based on mastering ‘transitions’, both offensive and defensive, and Kanté made this an art-form last season.
As you might expect given Leicester’s style, Kanté’s pass completion was 82%, a fraction lower than other candidates but he averaged six defensive actions per game and won 46% of his duels.
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