Since the day Antonio Conte arrived at the club, Chelsea have been linked with a string of Serie A targets. From Nikola Maksimovic and Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer to Mauro Icardi and more as the season has gone on, transfer rumour writers have clearly seen the Italian connection and not felt the need to think much further.
However this week’s Serie A rumour has a little more meat to it – at least practically. While there are no sources beyond Spanish transfer site Fichajes, the player in question – Milan Badelj – would be a great fit for our current midfield.
With Jon Obi Mikel’s contact entering its final 8 months and Cesc Fabregas unable to get in the side, it’s not surprising Chelsea are looking further afield for cover in midfield.
Croatian Badelj would be the ideal backup to N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic. He is as tough and fearless as those two, and has enough quality on the ball to hurt teams which are sitting deep against us. Anyone who wants to see the 27 year old in action can tune in to Fiorentina’s game this afternoon against Empoli to see the potential new Blue.