The Steaua Bucharest centre back has caught the eye of Chelsea along with fellow European giants Barcelona, AC Milan and Internazionale. So what can we tell you about him?
Chelsea have been linked with a move for Romanian centre back Vlad Chiriches from Steaua Bucharest. The 22-year-old is considered one of the hottest prospects in Europe and has attracted interest from across the continent.
So what can we tell you about him?
1. Chiriches turns 23 on the 14th November.
2. Born in Bacau as a youngster he started his career with Ardealul Cluj.
3. His stock was already considerably high as a teenager as was proven by Benfica’s decision to sign him as a 17-year-old in 2007.
4. Citing homesickness he returned to Romania with International Curtea de Argus and helped them earn promotion to Romania’s top flight in 2009.
5. He left the club a year before they dissolved in 2010 and signed for CS Pandurii in 2011 before helping them achieve their highest ever league finish with a seventh place position in 2011-12.
6. He made his debut for the Romanian national team during this time against Luxembourg last September. He has since gone on to make 14 caps for his country.
7. He had already been a regular throughout the Romania youth system including three caps for the Under-21s.
8. His impressive form saw him sign for Romanian giants Steaua Bucharest as they attempt to end their dry spell; an unprecedented six years since their last League title.
9. He scored his first goal for the club in a Europa League win against Norwegian side Molde at the end of October. The goal was a spectacular one, a delightfully acrobatic bicycle kick after a previously deflected shot.
10. Chelsea are not alone in the pursuit for this highly talented centre half as Barcelona, AC Milan, Lyon, Inter Milan and Zenit St Petersburg all pursue the player valued at £5 million.
He is a highly talented player and the best word to describe his defending style is class, a bit like Rio Ferdinand in his plomp. His agent Viktor Becali has been talking up his potential in the market:
“I can confirm that AC Milan are looking at the player, Milan’s sporting director (Ariado Braida) has seen him play several times both for the national team and for his club team. There is nothing concrete yet, though, and it is too early to say what will happen. I don’t know if he could leave in January, it will depend on the offers which may arrive when the market opens. There are many clubs interested in Chiriches – Chelsea, Inter Milan and Zenit – but there is nothing concrete in place as yet.”
This talent could soon be on his way to Chelsea, would you want to sign him?
image: © Free-ers
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