Five centre-back targets Arsenal should consider signing next month
Both Arsenal and Tottenham prepare for their second North London derby this month with depleted defensive ranks and big decisions to be made by both Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino.
While the latter may not have too many concerns over his backline moving forwards, with Davinson Sanchez back in training and Jan Vertonghen expected to return in the New Year, the Gunners’ issues are more pressing.
The 1-0 win over Huddersfield earlier this month represents Arsenal’s only clean sheet in ten league games, while they lined up with a back three of Stephan Lichtsteiner and Granit Xhaka either side of Laurent Koscielny in defeat at Southampton. The latter has been out for the best part of a year through injury and, at 33, his fitness is a real concern, while Rob Holding and youngster Konstantinos Mavropanos are both sidelined.
The club are tipped to make a move for a centre-back next month, and WhoScored.com have picked out five that could fit the bill.
Felipe (Porto) - WhoScored.com rating: Liga NOS 7.41 / Champions League 7.34
While all eyes seem to be on young centre-back partner Eder Militao, fellow Brazilian Felipe has been a hugely consistent performer for Porto since signing for the club in 2016. The 29-year-old has considerably more experience and would come at significantly less expense too, so surely won’t have been overlooked by those scouting his compatriot either.
Strong in the air in both boxes, Felipe reads the game well and has made more interceptions than any other player in Liga NOS this season (40). He has helped his team to the league title last season, the top of the pile so far this as well as the most points of any side in the Champions League group stages. Having also earned his first Brazil cap in September, Felipe is at the peak of his powers and could be a steal.
Willi Orban (RB Leipzig) - WhoScored.com rating: Bundesliga 7.37 / Europa League 7.31
The most experienced head in an extremely young defence, Orban is just 26 himself but marshals a Leipzig rearguard with the best record in the Bundesliga (14 goals conceded). He is another player that may not cost the earth either, and with Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and Nordi Mukiele competing for places at the back for the German outfit, Orban has started just nine of 15 league games in a rotation policy.
Leipzig have kept five clean sheets in said outings, conceding only five goals, with Orban representing a dominant force in the defence. Like Felipe he is superb in the air, winning the second most aerial duels per game (5) in the Bundesliga this season, and he too has just embarked on his senior international career having opted to represent Hungary after being overlooked by the German national side.
German Pezzella (Fiorentina) - WhoScored.com rating: Serie A 7.11
If it’s a leader that Emery wants to strengthen a suspect backline then Pezzella would certainly be a strong option. The 27-year-old missed out on Argentina’s World Cup squad despite an assured debut season with Fiorentina but is very much in the plans of new coach Lionel Scolari, starting the four matches immediately after a disastrous campaign, with La Albiceleste conceding just once in that time.
Having shown the strength of character to captain his side following the tragic passing of former centre-back partner Davide Astori earlier this year, Pezzella has become a fan favourite with the Viola for good reason. Another strong player when it comes to an aerial battle, the Argentine has won more than any other defender in Serie A this season (53) at an impressive 66 per cent success rate, and ranks fifth in the division for interceptions (33).
Fernando Calero (Real Valladolid) - WhoScored.com rating: La Liga 6.84
A player believed to be on the Gunners’ radar as we approach the January transfer window, Calero has impressed a number of clubs both in his native Spain and England in his first season of top-flight football. The 23-year-old helped Valladolid to promotion last season and has played every minute of the current campaign as the club looks to re-establish themselves at this level.
They’ve made a decent fist of it so far, conceding fewer goals (18) than leaders Barcelona, with Calero playing a pivotal role in a strong defensive record. The youngster places among the top five players in the division for both clearances (91) and shots blocked (17) but is also capable of passing his way out of trouble, with an impressive 87.3 per cent accuracy. He also has a rather tempting £10m release clause in his contract, so is perhaps the most attainable target next month.
Ozan Kabak (Galatasaray) - WhoScored.com rating: Super Lig 6.84 / Champions League 7.10
At just 18 years of age, Kabak is definitely one for the future but the teenager has made a place in a title winning side his own this season and looked at home. His composure in possession belies his tender years and would certainly appeal to Emery’s desire to play out from the back at all costs, and some of his performances in Europe in particular have caught the eye of a number of top clubs.
Kabak boasted a pass accuracy of 88.7 per cent in the Champions League group stages, ranking first in the competition for tackles (4.3) and interceptions (3.3) per game combined, with a whopping 7.6. This is still his first season in senior football, it should be said, but the youngster is a player that many will be monitoring in the coming weeks and months. If Arsenal were in the market for a promising back-up defender to freshen things up, the Turkish youth international should be on their Christmas list.
