Chelsea FC fans incredulous as Blues close in on Senegalese centre-back from French league [Tweets]

Chelsea FC are very close to confirming the signing of Nantes defender Papy Djilobodji on transfer deadline day as manager Jos Mourinho looks to strengthen his defensive options

It isn’t quite John Stones or any of the more fancied alternatives to the Englishman, but it looks like Chelsea FC have finally completed a move for a centre-back to challenge the likes of John Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma this season.

Ligue 1 side Nantes have already confirmed the transfer of 27-year-old Senegalese international Papy Djilobodji to Chelsea FC, although there has been no confirmation from the Stamford Bridge outfit on the player at the time of writing.

Blues fans in disbelief at signing after summer-long Stones chase

Chelsea FC fans were understandably in disbelief as news emerged that the Londoners were closing is on Djilobodji, with few Premier League fans likely to have heard of the centre-back before. Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of bitterness and incredulity amongst the Blues’ faithful on social media, particularly given that Mourinho had been chasing more elite targets this summer – players in the mould of Everton’s John Stones.

Others, meanwhile, pointed to some of the successful signings Chelsea FC have made from France’s top flight, insisting that the Senegalese thus be judged on the football he is able to produce for the club rather than his stature or that of his former team.

With news emerging that the Nantes defender was offered to – and rejected by – several Premier League sides before moving to Chelsea FC, Blues fans can be forgiven their scepticism on this particular transfer. How much of an impact Djilobodji has at Stamford Bridge remains to be seen, but the 27-year-old has already had a big impact on social media.