Chelsea have experienced certain defensive issues in the early parts of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign and saw their issues laid bare in the 4-1 loss to Newcastle United. Amid this, they have been linked with Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande as a possible option to improve their backline.
Chelsea’s Links To Ousmane Diomande Clarified
Are Chelsea Looking To Sign Diomande?
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Blues have their eyes on signing a new centre-back in 2024 and that they would be exploring the transfer market in that position. However, he claims that there is nothing concrete in their current links to Diomande.
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The journalist states that it’s normal for top clubs to scout such promising young talents like the Sporting defender, but that there haven’t been any concrete discussions held between the two sides over a potential deal. Romano reasserts that Arsenal have been tracking the 19-year-old’s progress for quite some time and that other clubs are also interested in signing this “big prospect”.
The journalist also adds that it needs to be seen if Chelsea’s links to the defender materialize into anything serious, but nothing substantial has happened over any possible deal so far.
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What Could Diomande Bring to Chelsea?
The Ivorian has started to gain some prominent attention after performing really well for the Portuguese heavyweights in 2023. He has only made 33 appearances since joining the club in the 2023 winter transfer window and has become a regular starter for them in the ongoing campaign.
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He has helped Sporting keep four clean sheets in 11 Premier League games this season and also made his debut for the Ivory Coast national team earlier this year. The 19-year-old was hailed as someone with “enormous talent” and is surprisingly fast as well as strong in his defensive attributes despite his young age.
Even though Chelsea has a lot of options right now in his position, the youngster can add more physicality and composure to their backline in the long term and also be a potential replacement for Trevoh Chalobah if he leaves. He is also attracting interest from other clubs and it remains to be seen if Chelsea can get a deal done in 2024.
