Chelsea are on verge of losing a number of defenders in the summer. Thus, it will not be wrong to say that summer will be a phase of Chelsea’s Defensive Revamp. They have been very consistent with their defence under Thomas Tuchel and will be looking for same from the new batch of players they are looking for. Tuchel has not yet signed any of his targets since his arrival at Chelsea and if they want a long-term project with Tuchel, they will have to abide by his wishes.
Chelsea will be in need of at least two center backs with Christensen and Azpilicueta certain to leave but could be more if Rudiger leaves. This is additional to the wing-backs that are the need of the hour on both sides.
WHO CAN CHELSEA SIGN?
Jules Kounde
This is just a no-brainer since the summer of last season. A player who was keen to join Chelsea and had all personal terms agreed, was forced to stay in the previous window, but the scenario will be very different in the next window. The French defender looked like a confirmed signing for the Blues, only for Sevilla to change their demands at the eleventh hour. Chelsea thus did not abide to the new demands and the signing stalled. Kounde is a player who Tuchel himself is very fond of and could be the perfect Azpilicueta replacement. A good ball-playing center back is what Chelsea needs and Kounde fits the place perfectly and could potentially make the right center back his position for some handsome number of years.
According to many reports, Chelsea have agreed on a deal worth €45 Million with Sevilla with the Spanish outlet agreeing this time. The player is very interested to play for Chelsea and could be the pillar for Tuchel’s new defensive line. The deal looks certain for Chelsea in the coming summer.
Likeliness to Join: 8/10
Niklas Sule
The news of Bayern not extending with Niklas Sule has grabbed every European giant’s attention as the center back will be a free agent in the summer window. Every club is in need for a center back and Sule thus will be in great demand. Just 26, Sule has his prime years approaching and thus the next deal he signs will become very crucial. Good on the ball with good physicality could make him a reliable option in the Premier League.
Chelsea are in the race for the German with talks of Christensen leaving the club. He can fit in both at the center of the defence or as the right sided center back. However, the injury record of the German could hold his talks with the club but with Thiago Silva ageing, Chelsea do need a signing like this and could push hard to match the demands of the German. But Barcelona, Tottenham, Manchester United and other big clubs are looking for his signature.
Likeliness to Join: 5/10
Matthijs De Ligt
One of the most highly rated center backs in European football is not happy with his situation at Juventus. De Ligt’s move to Juventus did not go as planned and the Dutch center back is now looking for a new destination. A great presence in the defensive line, De Ligt could be the leader Chelsea are looking for years to come. With Azpilicueta leaving, Chelsea fans are demanding for the passing of the baton to the new leadership group under experienced campaigners like Silva, Rudiger and Jorginho. His ability on the ball makes him a name very high on Tuchel’s wishlist.
Juventus’ signing of Vlahovic could force them to make a deal for De Ligt on priority. They want to get the money for the striker’s deal and selling De Ligt will be the best option for the Italian giant. De Ligt could cost Chelsea around £80 Million but the Dutch defender will be worth every penny. Tuchel could actually build up a very solid defensive line if he could get De Ligt. Chelsea board have the financial powers to crack the deal but dealing with Raiola, De Ligt’s agent will never be an easy task.
Likeliness to Join: 3/10
Sergino Dest
The Chelsea campaign de-railed this season drastically and the major reason for this downfall was the injuries to their starting full-backs, Chilwell and James. With Alonso and Azpilicueta not able to fulfil the roles, Tuchel was forced to deploy Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic as the wing-backs in many games. However, the defence still looked unstable and this led to a major downfall. Chelsea desperately needs a solution for the vacant position as Chilwell is out for the season and James will be available only after mid-February. Though with just 3 days left for the transfer window to close, Chelsea will not be able to find someone in the market to make a deal but this makes the recruitment of wing-backs in the summer a priority.
Dest could be the perfect fit in the summer as the wing-back is not happy with his limited time at Barcelona and needs to play in his natural position to revive his form. Still very young, Dest could swap clubs with Azpilicuieta and also exchange the role. If the same trend of limited minutes continues at Catalonia, he might look to make a move in the summer. Under Tuchel, Dest could be used as a good backup attacking threat on both left and right sides, and his versatility makes him a good ‘Tuchel Player’. But the American is still determined to fight for a place at Barcelona and also is being considered as part of a swap deal for a new right back.
Likeliness to Join: 3/10
One thing is assured that Chelsea will be going into the market in the summer for their targets and if Chelsea eye their candidate, it will be difficult for any other team to compete with them financially.
