Chelsea are reportedly able to put a suggestion on the desk for a Serie A defender because the summer time switch window will get set to open.
In keeping with DAZN switch reporter Orazio Accomando (by way of X), the Blues are ready to submit a bid within the area of €35m (slightly below £30m) for Lazio centre-back Mario Gila, who’s additionally a goal for Manchester Metropolis, Bournemouth and AC Milan.
As per Soccer Italia, the 24-year-old has attracted loads of curiosity after a powerful marketing campaign for the Biancocelesti, who signed him from Actual Madrid for a mere €6m (£5m) three years in the past.
Though the Spaniard has two years remaining on his contract on the Stadio Olimpico, an exit from the membership this summer time is deemed seemingly after Marco Baroni’s facet missed out on European qualification following a shock house defeat to Lecce on the ultimate day of the Serie A season.
What qualities might Gila convey to Chelsea?
Gila made 43 appearances for Lazio this time period, scoring twice, and FBref cite him as stylistically just like Levi Colwill.
The 24-year-old would look like a great match for Enzo Maresca’s possession-based fashion of play at Chelsea, as he ranks fairly extremely amongst positional friends in Europe for a number of passing statistics.
As per FBref, the Spaniard is among the many high 14% of centre-backs within the continent’s 5 predominant leagues this season for move completion (91.4%), whereas he additionally options within the eighty fifth percentile for progressive passes per 90 minutes (4.95) and the ninetieth percentile for progressive carries per sport (1.4).
Gila and Colwill have been additionally well-matched for a number of efficiency metrics in 2024/25, with the Lazio defender edging his Stamford Bridge counterpart for key passes (15-14), move completion (91.4%-89.3%), and tackles and interceptions made (83-80), as per FBref.
May Chelsea edge forward in switch race for Gila?
Chelsea might face loads of competitors from Premier League rivals for the 24-year-old, with Man Metropolis and Tottenham Hotspur among the many golf equipment who even have eyes on him.
Nevertheless, if the Blues are able to put a suggestion on the desk for the defender (and may provide him Champions League soccer), that would doubtlessly give them an early edge in what’s set to be a compelling switch race.
Whereas a Stamford Bridge return for Marc Guehi is additionally on the agenda for the hierarchy in SW6, the Lazio centre-back could possibly be nicely price a critical pursuit if the Crystal Palace colossus proves to be unattainable.