Chelsea get in touch this week with Premier League star’s agent over January move

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca may be happy to hear speculation that they have stepped up interest in a central defensive target.

It has been a shaky start to the season for Chelsea, showing plenty of vulnerability at the back. In fact, they have conceded 12 times in their opening eight matches across all competitions.

Maresca insists Chelsea need to sign another centre-back, largely because they miss Levi Colwill so much. The 22-year-old defender leaves a major hole in the backline while he recovers from his ACL injury.

The good news is that the Blues have locked in on a Premier League centre-half to target in the next transfer window.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca ‘tension’ with respected staff member as cracks appear at Chelsea

Chelsea make contact about Marc Guehi

Journalist Simon Phillips reports via Substack on Tuesday morning that Chelsea have made new enquiries this week to signal their interest in signing Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi.

Apparently, the Blues camp have once again made contact with the agents of Guehi after links in the summer. It is explained that they are trying to revive a transfer deal for January, where he would be much cheaper than he would have cost during the previous window.

Phillips adds that even though Chelsea made enquiries for the 25-year-old Palace defender in the summer, Liverpool were pushing the hardest to get him before he stayed at Selhurst Park.

Palace would rather sell Guehi in January than lose him for free when his contract expires at the end of the season. The impressive centre-back, who developed in the Chelsea academy, wasn’t overly keen on a return to Stamford Bridge. It has not been completely ruled out, though, as the Blues and Tottenham circle.

Jamie Carragher claims Maresca was let down by Chelsea by their inability to sign a new goalkeeper or centre-back in the summer.

Guehi, who’s made 138 Premier League appearances and counting, would be some statement signing if the Blues can re-sign him midway through the season.

Marc Guehi is one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League

If Chelsea negotiate a deal for Guehi, it would be a game-changer in their season because he ticks pretty much every box.

At 25, the Englishman has matured in recent years at Palace to emerge as one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League. It is no surprise to see he’s one of the best performers so far this season, too.

Back in the summer, Adrian Durham said Guehi could make Chelsea title winners by returning to the club. However, Enzo Maresca’s side didn’t sign an elite central defender to fix their problem and it’s costing them right now.