Blues fans in the Tavern are excited about this future star…
According to ESPN, Chelsea are set to approach Hoffenheim in January to acquire the services of young German centre-back Niklas Sule. The Blues in the Tavern have been worried for years about life without JT, but can Sule genuinely step into those legendary boots?
The Hoffenheim star has represented Germany at every level, having recently won his first full cap against Finland. The regular punters at The Tavern know very little about the player and in recent years have placed similar hope in future prospects like Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen only to be horribly let down by injuries and loans.
Ivanovic is no longer the formidable defender he once was and the Landlord at the Tavern has always maintained that Gary Cahill has rarely convinced in a Chelsea shirt, although recent performances as part of a back 3 have raised some eyebrows over this viewpoint. At 6ft 5″ and just 21 years of age, could Sule be the long term answer Chelsea need to add depth to their squad and provide more options at the back?
The Tavern’s cleaner, who always chips in with good insight mid sweep, believes that Germany have a rich history of breeding world class defenders – and he thinks that Sule could be next in line.
Well, the Hoffenheim youngster certainly has a good pedigree and here are THREE reasons why he could a key signing for Chelsea this January.
STRENGTH
Defenders come in all shapes and sizes (as the Tavern’s Sunday League team proves) but the true greats are tall, strong and brave like Niklas.
At 6ft 5″ (a clear two inches taller than JT) Sule casts an athletic, strong and imposing figure on the pitch; he will scare strikers with his determination and win plenty of headers, giving Chelsea extra protection in the air – an area where Azpilicueta falls short as part of a back 3.
ADAPTABILITY
Sule is experienced as playing as a defender in a back 3, but is equally able playing as a pair in a back 4. The German international is comfortable on the ball and is able to feed balls into the midfield and out to the flanks with ease.
He also gets amongst the goals too – in 83 appearances for Hoffenheim, he has scored 6 times. JT and Ivanovic have always contributed goals to the team and with their departure looking likely – Chelsea need a defender who can chip in at the other end.
FUTURE STAR
Sule is an almost perfect defender, a bonafide future world star. At 21 he has represented Germany at ALL LEVELS and even holds an Olympic Silver medal.
The Chelsea punters are demanding a new defensive hero, someone they can get behind and help drive the team forward for years to come, Niklas Sule could easily be that man.
Chelsea fans – what do you think? Let us know below.
