Brazil midfielder Luiz Gustavo is perfect fit to help tighten Chelsea defence

Luiz Gustavo

In Jose Mourinho’s first spell as Chelsea manager his team was built around a solid central midfield that at various times included Claude Makelele or Michael Essien at the peak of his powers. Now in his second spell at the club the defensive aspect of the midfield lacks the tenacity and overall quality it did when Mourinho was winning league titles at Stamford Bridge.

While Ramires is a Brazil international who offers a certain amount of quality in that position there is little else. Essien is still at the club but is nowhere near the player he once was. There is also Jon Obi Mikel who is okay as a squad player at best. Frank Lampard has played a deeper role but still likes to get forward and defensive duties are not exactly his forte.

With this in mind Chelsea should look to strengthen their options, especially as they look to compete on four fronts going into the second half of the season. They could do far worse than targeting Wolfsburg midfielder Luiz Gustavo.

Gustavo only joined Wolfsburg in the summer, shortly after winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich. However there is apparently a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave in the summer for a big club, a clause which has already alerted Arsenal.

His tackle success is one of his best attributes and perhaps his biggest seller to a club like Chelsea. Gustavo has won over half, 56% of the 71 tackles he has contested in the Bundesliga this season. Last term at Bayern Munich he won an impressive 73%.

In comparison compatriot Ramires has won less than half, 43%, from nearly 100contested. Mikel, like Ramires, also wins 43% of tackles, Lampard just 41%. Essien has played just twice in the Premier League, contested two tackles and lost them both. Gustavo has also made 31 interceptions this season.

His tackle success rate puts him as seventh best in the Bundesliga among midfielders that have played in ten games or more. He has also made the ninth most interceptions for midfielders with the same criteria.

His pass completion is also excellent. As part of Bayern Munich’s all conquering team from last season he was successful with 93% of passes. This season he has completed 83% of passes this season. This is not exactly better than the Chelsea central midfielders but neither is it worse. His passing is at least on a par and it certainly it compliments his best attribute, his defensive work.

Chelsea only have the fifth best defence in the Premier League which is very not Mourinho-esque. Gustavo in the midfield would certainly go some way towards rectifying this. He could potentially forge a formidable partnership with Ramires for both club and country going into the World Cup.

There is no doubt he would provide Chelsea with something they are lacking, bite in midfield and protection for their back four.