Chelsea are reportedly keen on a buying a centre back in the summer transfer window and have scouted Marseille defender Boubacar Kamara. English Premier League club Chelsea have a transfer ban imposed on them till the 2020 summer transfer window for making illegal signings of underage players. But the Blues are likely to take their appeal to the CAS and in case their ban is frozen, the London based club are expected to make a number of signings. Kamara is a 19-year-old centre back who made his debut for the French club in a cup competition back in 2016.
The Blues have reportedly scouted the player recently and have been impressed with what they have seen. Kamara made 35 appearances in all competitions this season for the French club, of which only 4 were from off the bench. The defender can play as a centre back as well as a left back and has even briefly played as a defensive midfielder.
Kamara has just one year on his Marseille contract which will expire in 2020, and the Blues could get him for a relatively cheap price if they make a move in the summer.
Is Kamara a good option for Sarri?
Kamara is quick and skilful, much like a lot of top-class modern centre backs, who are good with the ball at their feet. The teenager reads the game well and is good with interceptions. A strong tackler of the ball, his acceleration is what allows him to get to balls quickly, while he is quite physical for a young player.
The 19-year-old has a calm and mature head on his shoulders, when playing the ball out from the back, or defending one-on-one situations, and he could blossom into a top-quality centre back.
Experienced campaigner Gary Cahill is set to leave the Blues after 7 years with the club, while the future of Chelsea youth academy product Andreas Christensen is yet uncertain. This leaves Chelsea with just two first-team central defenders – Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz. The Brazilian is also on the wrong side of 30 which means Chelsea have to be on the lookout for a replacement for the 32-year-old soon.
Kamara is one for the future, but his attributes match with those that manager Maurizio Sarri requires in his players – aggressive, quick players who can move the ball quickly up the field.
