As
Chelsea complete the surprise signing of Nantes' Papy Djilobodji, we take a
closer look at the Senegal international.
After making the second-worst start to a Premier League title defence and
conceding nine goals in their first four games, Chelsea have an eight-point
gap to make up on league leaders Manchester City.
It seems boss Jose Mourinho has made a late move to bolster his defensive
options with a £2.7m move for Djilobodji, after Everton repeatedly turned
down his advances for Englishman John Stones.
With Djilobodji to be unveiled as a Chelsea player on deadline day, here's
all you need to know about him…
Factfile:
Name: Papy Djilobodji
Age: 26
Position: Centre-back, defensive midfield
Current club: Nantes
Nation: Senegal (12 caps)
What type of player is he?
Djilobodji has played in defensive midfield for Nantes previously, but is
more at home in central defence.
At 6ft 4in, the Senegal player is a powerful but pacey left-footer and his
stats from last season demonstrate his combative approach to the game.
Djilobodji ranked fourth in Ligue 1 for clearances in 2014/15 (8.3 per game)
and in the top 10 for interceptions (3.3 per game). Only 16 players won more
aerial duels per game than his 3.1 – in contrast, Chelsea's top players in
this category last season were Gary Cahill with 3.3, followed by John Terry
with 2.6.
The 26-year-old was also the top Nantes player in 2014/15, according to
WhoScored.com's statistical rankings, demonstrating his consistency across
his 30 starts for the club.
Nantes may have finished 14th in Ligue 1 last season as they continued to
establish themselves in France's top flight following their promotion from
Ligue 2 in 2012/13 but they recorded the fifth-best defensive record.
Djilobodji played a key role, with the team conceding just 40 times in 38
games.
What's his history?
Djilobodji was born in Kaolack, Senegal in 1988 and, after emerging through
the youth ranks at local club ASC Saloum, made the decision at 19 years old
to pursue a career in football in Europe.
Unsuccessful trials at Lille and Lazio didn't deter Djilobodji and he
eventually landed a place with French fourth-division side US Sénart-Moissy
in 2009.
By 2010 the defender had been snapped up by Ligue 2 Nantes, where he went on
to make over 160 appearances, helping them to promotion to the top flight in
2012/13.
International duty
Djilobodji made his international debut in 2013 and last January was called
up for the Africa Cup of Nations.
It was a disappointing tournament for both player and country, though, with
Djilobodji unable to prevent Senegal crashing out at the group stage after
taking four points from their three games.
What they say about him
Yaya Toure: "I have seldom seen a defender with this good a left foot and
right foot."
Who else was after him?
Djilobodji's form for Nantes has attracted plenty of admirers, with Celtic,
Marseille and Trabzonspor linked with moves for the player.
However, with a switch to Celta Vigo seemingly on the cards this summer,
Djilobodji was left out of Nantes' first-team this season and forced to
train with the development squad in recent weeks.
Chelsea, though, have swooped in to bring the player to Stamford Bridge.
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