© EuroFootball.com
On the eve of the start of the English championship season, London strengthened their defensive ranks - the club agreed on the acquisition of Dutch national team defender Khalid Boulahrouz.
A statement on the "Chelsea" official website confirmed that the English champions "agreed to acquire the 24-year-old player for an undisclosed fee," who will arrive in London over the weekend and will negotiate personal contract terms and undergo a medical examination.
"He is a good player and will be a good addition to our team. He can play as a central defender or on any side of the defense. I think he is right-footed, and it is important for the team to have one or two players who can play in several different positions," said the assistant coach of Chelsea, Steve Clarke, on the team's television show.
The player nicknamed "Khalid Cannibal" started his career at the "Waalwijk" club and moved to Germany to play for "Hamburg" in the summer of 2004. Last season, he played 28 matches in the Bundesliga for Hamburg and helped them secure third place. Instead of the opportunity to play in the Champions League with Hamburg, he chose the chance to compete for a place in the main lineup of Chelsea.
The defender, who has represented the Dutch national team 15 times, played in the last two Dutch World Cup matches from the start, but in the round of 16 against Portugal, he received a red card and was accused of trying to deliberately injure Cristiano Ronaldo in one incident.
The arrival of K. Boulahrouz should give Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho more options in defense, especially considering the uncertain futures of William Gallas, Roberto Huth, and Wayne Bridge. However, it is believed that the addition of the Dutchman to the team should not hinder Chelsea's attempt to attract Ashley Cole, but it is becoming increasingly realistic that the club may sell W. Gallas if he wishes to leave.
