Leandro Paredes to Chelsea: Why Maurizio Sarri wants highly-rated Zenit St Petersburg star as Jorginho back-up

Leandro Paredes has been earmarked by Chelsea as the ideal back-up to Jorginho as the Blues attempt to address the departure of Cesc Fabregas.

Argentina international Paredes is wanted by Maurizio Sarri after Chelsea's sold the Spaniard to AS Monaco and, indeed, Jorginho's recent struggles in the top-flight.

Paredes, 24, is currently playing in the Russian Premier League for Zenit St Petersburg, who value the midfielder at around £36m.

However, Chelsea have so far seen two bids, worth £26.8m and £31.2m, rejected by Zenit - which is also in part due to the club wanting to hold onto their stars as they attempt to win the top-flight crown this season.

But should Chelsea manage to prize Paredes away from Zenit this month, they would be getting a central midfielder who is not only able to play further forward and score goals - something Jorginho is yet to do often enough at Stamford Bridge - but also be placed further back to shield the Blues' defence.

In the video above, Russian sports broadcaster at Match TV, Maria Makarova, gives Standard Sport the lowdown on Paredes and just why Zenit are so keen on keeping him out of Chelsea's clutches in January...