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Who is Chelsea’s £26 million defensive target Kostas Manolas?
As Antonio Conte seeks to bolster his Chelsea squad, the claim that Kostas Manolas could be a target. Rated at £26 million, Manolas has been at an advanced stage in talks with Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg but the Blues are confident that they could hijack the deal with a last minute move for him.
Who is he?
A 26-year-old central defender, Manolas is one of the stars of the Greek national team with 29 caps to his name since his debut in 2013. The 6ft2in centre-back has made 131 appearances for Roma since he joined them in 2014.
Where has he been?
Having come through the ranks as a teenager at Greek side Thrasyvoulous Fylis, Manolas soon made a move to giants AEK Athens, where his uncle Stelios had spells as a player and manager. His boyhood club, he enjoyed a successful emergence in Athens and rejected a move to Everton in 2012 before eventually moving to city rivals Olympiacos on a free transfer when his contract expired. Two seasons later, Manolas was on his way to Italy to join Roma for €15 million.
What’s his style of play?
Manolas is strong in the tackle and a brute of a defender. He wins every aerial challenge thrown at him and is more than happy to put his foot in when required, rarely being beaten by his man. What he lacks in pace he makes up for in strength.
On the ball, Manolas is also a strong player with plenty of skill. Good at starting moves out from the back with his distribution and vision, the Greek is often seen picking the ball up deep and moving forward in possession.
What would his arrival mean for Chelsea?
It seems unlikely that Manolas would waltz straight into the Chelsea starting line-up. However, we would add some much needed strength in depth and would be a more than solid addition. His experience in Europe would be a vital attribute and could be where he gets some of his early opportunities if he does move to Stamford Bridge.
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