Many Chelsea fans would point to centre-back as a position they feel needs strengthening in the upcoming year in order to help close the gap to the top sides in the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca was desperate to bring in a new centre-back before the season started after Levi Colwill suffered an ACL injury upon the return to pre-season.
The club responded by selling Renato Veiga and not signing a new option, and this is one of the reasons Maresca and the board are at odds at the moment.
Chelsea need to make room before they can sign another centre-back. Who are you getting rid of?
Levi Colwill is definitely untouchable ❌
Chelsea’s list of first-team centre-backs
- Levi Colwill
- Wesley Fofana
- Trevoh Chalobah
- Benoit Badiashile
- Tosin Adarabioyo
- Josh Acheampong
Chelsea have been tipped to be in the market in January, however are likely to be busier in the summer when big signings are easier to make.
One player who would be possible to bring in next summer is Marc Guehi, with his contract at Crystal Palace set to come to an end at the end of the season.
Gus Poyet has told Chelsea to sign Guehi due to his leadership skills, and it looks as if the Blues have not given up the fight to secure his signature.
Simon Phillips has stated that Chelsea have just held fresh talks with the agents of the England international regarding a switch back to Stamford Bridge.
He said on his Substack: “Chelsea still have an interest in signing Guehi and in fact, SPTC Sources have heard that there was new but ‘brief conversations’ with his agents around a week to a week and a half ago regarding a possible move to The Blues.
“The player has never placed Chelsea at the top of his list of clubs to go to and there’s always appeared to be a bit of a grudge there after he was sold by the club. However, it’s not been fully ruled out, and Chelsea are trying to convince him to return to the club.”
Chelsea need a new centre-back to appease Maresca
With reports that Manchester City are interested in Maresca as a future manager, the Blues need to act with care when it comes to the head coach.
SCENARIO: You are one of Chelsea’s sporting directors and Todd Boehly has given you £60m to spend in January. Who are you signing?
Your potential shortlist could include:
- Kobbie Mainoo
- Mike Maignan
- Marc Guehi
This can start with appeasing his demands in the transfer market, and with Colwill not set to feature again this season, this would ideally be sorted in January.
Guehi is unlikely to be available though, and competition is going to be fierce for his signature.
Liverpool were very close to bringing him in over the summer, and their own defensive woes will likely see them return to the scene when he becomes available.
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