Chelsea are interested in signing West Ham defender Issa Diop, according to reports. The Blues remain in the hunt for a top four finish this season but will need to make reinforcements at the end of the season if they want to challenge for major silverware in the future. Frank Lampard is working with a talented young side at the moment but he will need to make reinforcements to the squad if he wants to transform it into one of the best in the league and in Europe.
Diop has been one of the Hammers best players for a while
The 23-year-old Diop joined the Hammers from Toulouse during the summer of 2018 and has been one of the club’s best players ever since. The club last struggled last season under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini but the 23-year-old was one of its most consistent performers. One could even argue that he is too good to be playing for the East Londoners who are very inconsistent.
With a big physique, one of Diop’s strengths is that he is often able to out-muscle opposition attackers. He has good tackling and interception skills and could add good depth to Chelsea’s defensive options, which include Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Kurt Zouma. Tomori and Zouma started the season as Chelsea’s first choice defensive partnership. Christensen is linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge whilst Rudiger has spent a large portion of the season out injured.
Whilst Tomori is developing into a fine talent, he is still inexperienced and Zouma tends to blow hot and cold in terms of his performances. Adding Diop to the Chelsea roster would be a smart move by Lampard and the player may even be available for a bargain fee next summer if West Ham do end up getting relegated.