We profile Augsburg full-back Abdul Rahman Baba as Sky sources understand a fee is close to being agreed with Chelsea.
Factfile
Name:Â Abdul Rahman Baba
Age: 21
Position: Left-back
Club: Augsburg
Nation: Ghana (11 appearances, 0 goals)
What is his background?
Baba Rahman, as he is most commonly known, started his senior career in his homeland with Ghanaian Premier League side Asante Kotoko and it didn’t take him long to make an impression. The full-back played 25 times in his debut season and was runner-up in the league’s ‘Discovery of the Year’ award. His form attracted the interest of a number of top European clubs with Arsenal, Manchester City and Parma rumoured to have been among his suitors.
Rahman has spent just one year at Augsburg
However, Rahman eventually opted for a move to the Bundesliga with Greuther Furth as he felt they offered him "the best conditions in which to develop my career." He turned out 44 times for the club over two seasons, scoring his first two goals for the club in what proved to be his final game. He signed for Augsburg last summer and his impressive performances look to have ensured that he has a number of options, including Chelsea, should he choose to relocate once more.
What is his style?
Rahman is a rampaging full-back who likes to drive forward with the ball at his feet and whip balls into the box. This approach helped him to register four assists last campaign. However, the Ghana international is not one to shirk his defensive responsibilities and is happy to throw himself into tackles when necessary. Indeed, he made an average of 3.5 tackles a game in the Bundesliga season, according to WhoScored.com.
Would he fit in at Chelsea?
Jose Mourinho has said that Chelsea need a left-back and that he expects the club to sign one before the window closes after Filipe Luis rejoined Atletico Madrid. Rahman seems to be the man they have earmarked to challenge Cesar Azpilicueta for the position.
Cesar Azpilicueta: Has developed into one of the Premier League's best defenders
Rahman would provide a different option to the naturally right-sided Spaniard and may be seen as more attacking alternative. With Eden Hazard prone to drifting into the middle of the pitch, Rahman could be seen as the ideal full-back to try and exploit the space created on down the left flank in a way the more conservative Azpilicueta cannot.
What is the latest on his future?
A deal appears to be very close at this stage with Rahman’s agent confirming that the player has agreed terms with Chelsea and all that is left to conclude the transfer is for the Blues to agree a fee with Augsburg, which Sky sources say is near. For their part, the German side also look to have accepted that they will lose Rahman having signed another 21-year-old left-back, Philipp Max, as his replacement.
SOURCE: SKYSPORTS