Scout Report: Who is Papy Djilobodji?

Papy Djilobodji (right) has racked up over 170 appearances for Nantes since signing for them in 2010

After seeing multiple bids for Everton defender John Stones rebuffed, Chelsea’s search for a defensive solution boiled down to deadline day. And few deals this window have been more eyebrow-raising than their eventual pursuit of Nantes centre-back Papy Djilobodji.

His signature sparked scathing criticism from the media, with many dubbing the £3-million move a ‘panic-buy’. But few can really claim to know an awful lot about the 26-year-old, so let’s take a closer look...

Background

Racking up over 170 appearances in his Nantes tenure, the Senegalese centre-half, born in regional market town Kaolack, has been a revelation since signing for the French outfit in 2010 from amateur club Sénart-Moissy. Following a troublesome debut season in Ligue 2, Djilobodji established a first-team place in the follow up campaign and was an integral part of their promotion-winning side in 2014.

Papy’s lack of international experience, with just 12 caps for Senegal, may well have fuelled the qualms surrounding the signing. There’s a strong belief that his signature emits an air of last-ditch desperation from the Chelsea camp.

Strengths and weaknesses

Towering above the majority of the Blues’ contingent at 6’4”, Djilobodji’s undeniable physicality and strength give him a great advantage in aerial battles and one-on-ones. Deployed on occasion as a defensive midfielder at Nantes, he is capable of holding up the ball and shrugging off opposition middle-men. He is also undoubtedly a danger from set-pieces.

Boasting nine goals in his career with Les Canaris, including a notable thunderbolt against Toulouse back in 2013, Papy is deceptively pacey for a player with such a bulky frame. That mean he can spring forward to increase numbers in the midfield, but can also retreat quickly when possession is lost.

Perhaps he’s not the young, multi-million-pound man that Chelsea fans anticipated, but it will be interesting to see how Djilobodji’s explosive left-boot and brawn fare when exposed to the intensity of the Premier League. Expect the enigma of the signing to more than reimburse the nominal fee the London club paid.

Although the Senegal-born defender’s work ethic is also good, and his versatility is paramount to a Chelsea squad always renowned for superb depth, his temperament has led him down the odd slippery slope. Papy’s eagerness to leave the French minnows came about after it was rumoured he had agreed to sign for Spanish side Celta Vigo, a side which, let’s be honest, wasn’t an almighty step up.

Negotiations between the clubs may have fallen through, but it was all too apparent that Djilobodji wanted out; there’s no getting away from the fact he carries a bit of an ego. Back in June the centre-half missed a Nantes training session, instigating a series of punishments from the club. Although he’s now praised for his solid consistency, he was once an accident waiting to happen, not averse to having a blunder up his sleeve.

So he’s tall, relatively quick, competent in possession and brave in the box – surely a prize asset for the Blues?

Who will he replace at the Stamford Bridge?

How will he fit in at Chelsea?

There’s no doubting Djilobodji comes to Stamford Bridge as a last resort following the summer-long Stones fiasco. In fact, he probably featured rock-bottom in Mourinho’s wishlist behind the likes of Aymeric Laporte, Ezequiel Garay and City-bound Nicolas Otamendi. Furthermore, with Zouma, Cahill and Terry already supplying Jose with a sound set of options at the back, as well as the string of young defenders out on loan this season, it seems difficult to ponder just why Chelsea looked to the services of Djilobodji at all.

The first piece of evidence is Chelsea’s alarming, below par percentage of aerial battles won so far this season (51%). The Blues have also failed to register a headed goal this term, highlighting their need for a player keen to get their head on the ball.

Results have not gone Chelsea’s way this campaign, and critics have focused the blame squarely at the defensive end. While Cahill and Terry have been average, Branislav Ivanovic has come under fire for his inability to cope with the host of speedy, attacking talents EPL opposition have had at their disposal.

So will we see Djilobodji played on the right in his first few matches?

Whether he’ll get a game to begin with remains to be seen but, as well as right-back, there a few different areas Mourinho may choose to utilise Djilobodji’s bag of tricks. The midfield pivot of Matic and Fabregas has been ripped apart in the opening trio of fixtures and the Senegalese defender could find himself partnered with the former or latter to form the foundations of the Blues’ midfield instead.

Fabregas is an attacking-minded player – there’s no doubt about that – and he lacks the discipline to pour his heart into defending. So Djilobodji’s inclusion alongside Matic would open the door for Cesc and Co. to push forwards and create chances. Meanwhile, the newly implemented Senegalese would thrive in the heart of Chelsea’s midfield alongside his Serbian counterpart.

Making 101 interceptions last season, the eighth highest number in France’s top tier, there’s no doubt that Djilobodji favours the nitty-gritty side to the game. He will easily fit into the approach we saw from Chelsea in the latter stages of last season, where they’d grind out results. City have toppled Chelsea already this campaign, while Crystal Palace made easy work of Mourinho’s men, so Chelsea need a prominent, positive figure in the box to alter their fortunes.

At just £3-million, the signing is a strange one – I’m not denying that. But with the reputation Chelsea now have for the money they like to splash out, a big buy could have been risky and put them at threat of falling afoul of the financial fair play regulations. It also would have been easier to bring in Djilobodji logistically.

Who knows, Mourinho may well be the one laughing when we see Djiolobodji in action later this season.