Chelsea are exceeding all expectations so far this season under Enzo Maresca, but there are still a few small areas in the young squad that can be ironed out and improved.
Chelsea sit in a lofty second position in the Premier League right now following Sunday’s 4-3 away win at Tottenham.
In 15 top-flight games this campaign, the Blues have scored a league-high tally of 35 goals. However, Enzo Maresca’s side have also conceded 18 times.
Rafael Benitez previously questioned Chelsea’s defence, which is certainly an area that’s come under scrutiny.
Pat Nevin suggests Jarrad Branthwaite for Chelsea
Pat Nevin has identified Chelsea’s defence as a “weakness” that they still have.
Interestingly, he’s made the suggestion that the Blues should look at signing someone like Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite to improve their backline.
Nevin wrote in his BBC Football Extra email newsletter (9 December): “Chelsea may be able to rest every EPL starter by sending out an entirely different squad for the European trip to play Astana on Thursday, but they are yet to convince the pundits domestically. Why?
“Put simply, there are still weaknesses and these tend to be found out at the top level. 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.
“I just wonder if Jarrad Branthwaite could be prised from my beloved Everton, would this be close to the final piece of the jigsaw?”
Chelsea enquired about signing Everton defender Branthwaite back in the summer transfer window, but the player ended up staying at Goodison Park.
At the age of 22, Branthwaite is an exceptionally talented young centre-half frequently linked with a big transfer.
The £70m-rated Englishman (The Mirror) already has one senior international cap for the Three Lions. If he can continue developing at this rate, he could be a long-term solution in England’s defence.
Should Chelsea try to sign Jarrad Branthwaite?
It definitely feels like Branthwaite is head and shoulders above Everton right now, so it should be a matter of time before he earns a huge transfer.
On paper, Chelsea could be a good fit for one of the Premier League’s best young centre-backs. There’s no doubt that the Blues could do with adding a colossus defender to their ranks.
Jamie Carragher called Everton’s Branthwaite “pretty special” because of his performances last season in Everton colours. Even though he’s had an injury problem at the start of this campaign, he’s now back fit and regaining his form.
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