According to French source Get French Football News, Chelsea are close to completing the signing of FC Nantes defender Papy Djiloboji. The 26-year-old Senegalese international is now one of the most established central defenders in Ligue 1, and with his transfer fee expected to be fairly low, Djiloboji would be a good addition to the Chelsea squad.
Papy Djiloboji’s rise into one of Europe’s top five leagues has not been easy. He began his professional career in his homeland of Senegal, after being promoted to ASC Saloum’s first team, but only after allegedly faking registration by taking the name of a player who looked like him. The youngster spent two seasons with the club, before taking the decision to move to Europe at the age of just 19, in an attempt to break into European football.
Djiloboji initially struggled to make an impact at any big club. He had unsuccessful trials with both Lazio and Lille, before eventually joining fourth division French side Moissy-Cramayel in 2009. It was here that his technical abilities began to improve and just a few months after joining Moissy, Djiloboji moved to FC Nantes in December 2009. He has remained there ever since and has made 169 appearances for the club, establishing himself as a first-team regular.
Djilobodji is a huge physical presence in any back line. Standing at 6 ft 4″, he’s unlikely to be fazed by any imposing striker that may bully others out the way. However his physicality was an ongoing problem during his first few seasons for Nantes, with Djilobodji no stranger to late challenges and the cards that followed. But after gaining more experience as Nantes ascended into Ligue 1, he has become far less reckless, and far more reliable.
Due to his teams over achievement during the last couple of years, Djilobodji’s pedigree has risen. He was a vital part of the defence that conceded the sixth least goals in a league of twenty teams, as they finished 14th in Ligue 1 in 2015.
Marseille has reportedly been interested in Djilobodji for a long time, but a €2.5 million move to Turkish club Trabzonspor looked likely until Chelsea declared their interest.
Should The Blues sign the Senegalese international in the last few days of the transfer window, Papy Djilobodji will surely have the opportunity to improve his ability even further, and become an exciting member of Chelsea’s defence in the next few years.
