According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have launched a bid for Tottenham midfielder Paulinho. Here are three reasons why they should forget about the Brazil international and look elsewhere.
1) Ramires
Although the Brazilian is a flexible player, he is at his best when playing in a central role. With Nemanja Matic now the main head in the middle of the head, there is only one slot next to him. Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel and David Luiz can also play there, so fitting Paulinho in could be difficult.
2) Poor in the air
Although he is a steely player who loves to get stuck in when the ball in on the floor – he has registered 49 fouls in the Premier League season so far – Paulinho is poor when it comes to aerial battles. From the 56 headers he has gone up for this season, he has won just 13.
That’s a 23% win rate.
Chelsea need a powerful midfielder to come in and take charge of all battles, a Yaya Toure or Patrick Vieira type player, if you will. Not another scrappy player with no aerial presence.
3) Not a Mourinho player
Following on from that, I don’t see him as a Mourinho player. Although he can tackle, I’m not sure he has the tactical discipline to keep a tight shape and really put a performance in. He can win the ball back, but can he fill his team-mate’s position if they get stretched? Is he quick enough to burst forward and help the attacking players?
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