Transfer News: Atletico Madrid interested in Chelsea target Jonathan Clauss
Chelsea target and Lens defender Jonathan Clauss is also wanted by Atletico Madrid, according to Nizaar Kinsella of Goal.com (h/t football.london).
The French national will cost around £10million and the Blues see him as a replacement for Cesar Azpilicueta. The Spaniard’s time at the Bridge seems to be over and he is linked with a summer move to Barcelona.
Even if he wasn’t, he isn’t getting any younger and isn’t the most mobile and agile right-back in the world because of that reason.
Why are Chelsea interested in Clauss?
Clauss is a French national who plays for Lens in the Ligue 1. Playing mostly as a right wing-back, the player has also played as a right midfielder as well as a winger.
Joining the French club after leaving Arminia Bielefeld in the summer of 2020, the 29-year-old has lit up the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, helping Lens stay in the top flight in France. Joining the newly-promoted side, Clauss has helped the club finish 7th in back-to-back seasons.
In 40 appearances for Lens in the 2021/22 season, Clauss scored 5 and assisted 11 times. Following his impressive performances for the club, the French national caught Didier Deschamps’ eyes, and in 2022, the player was handed his first cap for the national team.
At Lens, the player has become an important cog in manager Franck Haise’s plans. The 29-year-old has appeared 74 times for the French club in two seasons.
Considering his attacking quality as a full-back, Clauss could fit right into Thomas Tuchel’s plans if he does end up signing for the Blues. Currently, Reece James and Azpilicueta are the two players who are trusted by the German boss for the right-back position.
With Azpilicueta looking for a move away from the Bridge, the French national could be the one to replace the 32-year-old.
Clauss has revealed that he’s a Chelsea fan. If our captain were to leave, the French national could be the perfect replacement for him in the squad. At 29, this might be the right time for the Lens player to make his move.
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But it remains to be seen whether Clauss will be interested in a switch to the Premier League. With the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year, the 29-year-old would understand the importance of first-team football if he wants to travel with Deschamps’ men.
At Lens, the player is the first name on the team sheet. At Chelsea, the French national will have to fight for a place with James. Being Tuchels first choice for the right-back spot at the Bridge looks unlikely unless the England national picks up an injury.