The seven centre-backs Chelsea are considering signing in January include Marc Guehi and Benfica star

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Chelsea may be forced to act in the transfer window this month as they look to solve their ongoing defensive injury crisis.

Enzo Maresca was forced to start 18-year-old Josh Acheampong at centre-back at the weekend in their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

This is because of the long-term issues currently being suffered by Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, who have occupied the majority of Premier League minutes alongside Levi Colwill.

• READ MORE: Chelsea should go all out for £50m Premier League centre-back after Wesley Fofana’s injury blow

The boss hinted that he could be without the former for the rest of the season, however Fofana himself believes he will be back in March.

For this reason, Chelsea could very well make a move for a new centre-back during this transfer window, with a number of names being linked with the potential move.

Chelsea looking at seven centre-backs in January

One of the strongest links at the moment is Marc Guehi, with the Blues being well aware of his talents from his time at Stamford Bridge in the past.

Simon Phillips has stated that the England international is only one of seven names that are on Chelsea’s list at the moment, with them looking both at home and abroad.

He said on his Substack: “Our sources have heard that Chelsea are on the hunt for a perfect new centre back option, if such a thing exists. They want to make sure they get this one spot on.

“Because not only are they trying to bring in a new centre back for now and for the future, they also want that centre back to lead them into the Club World Cup in the summer as well.”

“So this is why the club are seriously looking at bringing in a new centre back this month, and they could even look to bring in two over the next two windows.

“There are more names than what we are hearing about, but the ones my top source has heard about the most on these last couple of weeks are [in no particular order]:

• Tomas Araujo [Benfica]
• Antonio Silva [Benfica]
• Ousmane Diomande [Sporting]
• Illia Zabarnyi [Bournemouth]
• Dean Huijsen [Bournemouth]
• Marc Guehi [Crystal Palace]

“Other name from another sources:

• Ronald Aruajo [Barcelona]”

Chelsea in love with Tomas Araujo

Chelsea have reportedly been tracking Araujo from Benfica for a while now, with Fabrizio Romano describing them as ‘in love’ with him.

The Blues have found out they are able to sign Araujo for a fee of £66m after he signed a new contract with a release clause.

The youngster has enjoyed a fine campaign over in Portugal so far, with him at the top end for most defensive stats.

There is also the option of recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, however the club’s woeful treatment of him over the summer would surely play on his mind if a decision needed to be made.