Papy Djilobodji Signing Favoured over Luisao, Top Rumours — Chelsea Transfer News

Chelsea new-boy Papy Djilobodji already has one over on his team-mates.

The former Nantes defender has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for the Champions League but he says he is willing to work hard to prove himself in London.

As the Toffees stood firm and pushed back on the Blues’ over-inflated advances, Chelsea were forced to scramble for alternatives on deadline day.

The Senegal defender, signed from Nantes on Tuesday after the Premier League champions were repeatedly turned down by Everton in their pursuit of John Stones, will wear Chelsea’s number 15 shirt.

Chelsea, as No 1 seeds, were drawn alongside Dynamo Kiev, Porto and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Group G and open their campaign against the Israeli side on September 16. Young forwards Bertrand Traoré and Kenedy were given preference over Djilobodji.

He was, however, regarded as the player with the most crosses from open play in the Bundesliga at the end of the 2014/15 League season. They opted to chose the first two players, leaving out Djilbodji from the squad.

As for getting acclimated with his teammates, Jose Mourinho can integrate his new centerback through domestic competitions. He will just have to wait a little longer to make his European debut.