64% tackle success: Chelsea linked with £15m swoop for giant Italy international

According to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea are interested in signing Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia in the January transfer window.

Manager Jose Mourinho wants to strengthen his defence as he only has David Luiz to realistically call upon should Gary Cahill or John Terry sustain an injury or suspension.

He also feels the need to sign Ranocchia due to Barcelona’s constant interest in Luiz, who could be prised away from Stamford Bridge with the lure of guaranteed first-team football.

The 25 is six-foot, five inches tall and has earned a dozen caps for his country, Italy, and has played 73 Serie A matches for Inter, scoring five goals.

Inter bought the rest of Ranocchia’s rights in 2010 for £10.3 million which valued him, in total, at £15.7 million.

Despite boasting such height, Ranocchia is tidy with the ball at his feet, completing 75% of his take ons so far this season.