Chelsea are targeting Romanian left back Iasmin Latovlevici of Steaua Bucharest. As the rumours are coming in thick and fast, Chelsea seem to be mulling over the recruitment of two experienced left backs, Felipe Luis and Latovlevici. The former is a well-known Brazilian who starred for Atletico Madrid in their title winning season in La Liga, while Latovlevici plays in Romania, in the best club of the league.
Both the left backs are good defenders and their main focus is on defending well rather than barging forward. Their stats have been varied, but still have a similarity. Iasmin is more of an unknown player in European competitions but his recent defensive displays against Chelsea in the UCL have caught Mourinho’s eye. Moreover Felipe Luis is expected to complete a £20m move in the coming weeks, and Jose Mourinho seems set to use Cesar Azpilicueta at his favoured Right Back position instead of the conditioned Left Back spot he was made to play last season. With the likes of van Aanholt and Bertrand not yet sure about their future at Chelsea, the Romanian can be a good signing if Mourinho wants a back up left back with good experience.
As Felipe Luis and Iasmin play in way different leagues, their statistics cannot be compared in terms of league games, as the La Liga is way tougher and more premier than the Romanian league. Yet there is a lot of similarity in their stats of this season’s Champions League, which caught Chelsea’s eye. Here is a statistical comparison of their Champions League performances, courtesy of Whoscored.com
The Champions League stats of Iasmin are better than Felipe Luis, whose Atletico ended as runners up in the competition. This difference only arises because of the fact that Atletico attack much more than Steaua which gives the fullbacks a little more freedom and a bit more of an open defence in comparison to totally defending for their lives.
For Mourinho’s liking, Iasmin has a good tactical mind to read passes and is naturally a defensive minded player much like Felipe and would add to his mentality of a solid game, which he wants to change into a direct yet solid game. With the recruitment of left backs of the likes of Felipe and Iasmin, one can be sure of the fact that Chelsea will have good depth in their ranks as they look to mount a serious and dominant challenge on the title in the Premier League.
Final Verdict:
Iasmin Latovlevici would be a strong signing for the Blues and at age 28, he is in his best footballing years and has a lot to offer as a defender. He would be an easy buy as a transfer from Romania to London can be easily achieved, and he could offer good services for the club, whom Mourinho would like to use as a squad rotation player.