Everton defender linked to summer Chelsea move

The Daily Mail are reporting on Sunday that Jose Mourinho's side are planning to move this summer for Everton's Seamus Coleman. The paper is reporting that the move would be for around £20 million, though I'd probably put very little stock into figures being tossed around at this point.

At first glance, this would seem to be a very strange move for Chelsea to be making. The Blues are pretty well set at fullback, with Branislav Ivanovic playing very well, Cesar Azpilicueta being able to cover either flank at a high level, and Filipe Luis impressing whenever he's on the pitch. Adding another top option to the mix would seem to be very low on the priority list, at the moment.

Looking deeper, however, I could see why Chelsea might be looking at Coleman if the price is right. Ivanovic turns 31 in February, and while he's still playing at a very high level, it's not unreasonable to expect that his game might begin to decline soon. Coleman just turned 26, so he's probably just getting to the prime years of his career. If Mourinho is thinking long-term, a move for Coleman could make some sense.

Still, I'd be surprised if his move happened, even if the Blues had some legitimate interest. Coleman recently signed a contract extension with Everton which gives them very little reason to sell for a reasonable amount of money, and the Merseyside outfit have to like their chances of competing for a Champions League spot with the general ineptitude of clubs like Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Liverpool.