Chelsea are now being linked with a highly-rated defender who’s playing in the Champions League competition this season.
In fairness, the Chelsea squad does include plenty of quality options in the heart of defence. We’d argue that they’re still lacking an extra bit of authority and experience, though.
GiveMeSport recently claimed that Chelsea want to sign a versatile defender in January, someone that can play at centre-half or right-back.
The Blues have conceded 10 goals in their opening eight Premier League matches this season, so the backline is one area that still needs fixing under Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea put Antonio Silva on shortlist
According to journalist Simon Phillips via Substack this week, Chelsea are looking at Benfica’s Antonio Silva as a potential transfer target.
It is understood that the Blues have added the 20-year-old centre-back to their new shortlist, which includes Benfica teammate Tomas Araujo.
Phillips adds that Silva is already attracting interest from top sides such as Manchester United and Liverpool.
At the age of 20, Silva’s already played 102 first-team matches in Benfica colours since graduating from their academy. He’s a nailed-on starter for the Portuguese giants and has played eight times this season, including twice in the Champions League group stages.
Antonio Silva tipped for greatness
Silva has been spoken about glowingly as one of Europe’s best emerging centre-halves in the last couple of years.
The central defender already has 16 senior international caps for Portugal to go along with an impressive club CV.
Former Benfica player Jan Vertonghen told CNN Portugal last year that Silva can become an elite defender further down the line.
Vertonghen commented: “If he keeps doing what he’s been doing, he has everything to be one of the best defenders in the world in a year or two.”
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