Alan Shearer explains why Chelsea would be right to sign ‘fearless’ defender

Alan Shearer has issued his verdict on reported Chelsea target Josko Gvardiol.

The Blues have invested significantly in young talent of late, snapping up the likes of Wesley Fofana and Carney Chukwuemeka, and reports claim Croatia international Gvardiol could be their next target. Gvardiol has impressed during the World Cup, and he has also impressed for club side RB Leipzig over the last year or so.

Croatia are still in the World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals with a penalty shoot-out win over Japan in the Round of 16, and they will face Brazil in the next round. When Gvardiol does return, he could be greeted with interest from Chelsea, who need to plan for the future as far as the centre-back position goes, with Thiago Silva now in the final years of his career.

And while BBC pundit Shearer thinks Gvardiol would ‘look good in the black and white’, he has also made it clear why it would be a good idea for Chelsea to go through with a deal.

“He’s been my favourite defender to watch in the tournament so far,” Shearer said. “He’s got great presence, happy for the battle, physical, and got a wand of a left foot. He’s got pace as well, and I think all those attributes are what you need as a modern-day defender.

“The ball comes out to him and straight away he gets it on his left foot, can play the ball various distances with pinpoint accuracy. Straight through the lines, beats any kind of press, comfortable on either foot. As comfortable as he is with the ball at his feet passing he’s also comfortable running out with it.

“But also the aggressiveness, that nature again to come out, but not just finish it there. Burst out, look at the pace, willing to get forward. That youth, fearlessness, and quick enough feet for someone of his size. Everything about him, for me, has been so positive. Defending the front post, we don’t see enough of that. Most defenders get that wrong, and that [tackle on Lukaku] was the tackle of the tournament.”