Chelsea scouts have just been to watch ‘aggressive’ defender in the Champions League

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Chelsea scouts were in attendance this week at a Champions League group stage match to cast their eye over a central defender.

Chelsea are back in European competition this season, although it’s only the Conference League tournament not the Champions League. Incidentally, Enzo Maresca’s side kickstart the group phase of Europe’s third tier competition at home to Gent on Thursday night.

It’s interesting that the Blues are linked in the transfer rumour mill with another defender because they’ve got a pretty deep squad already.

In terms of the centre-back options, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana have emerged as the first-choice pairing. Speaking last month via Chelsea’s official YouTube channel, Fofana explained his delight about playing alongside Colwill. In addition, there’s alternative centre-halves Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile in the squad.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca gives hilarious answer when discussing who’s going to defend in Chelsea’s new attacking team

Chelsea scouts watch Piero Hincapie

According to TBR Football, Chelsea scouts were in attendance on Tuesday night to watch Bayer Leverkusen win 1-0 at home to AC Milan in the Champions League group stages.

It is explained that Blues representatives were there to look at two Leverkusen players in particular, Piero Hincapie and Victor Boniface.

The report has shared that Hincapie, who’s a talented young centre-back, has been regularly watched by Premier League sides for the last year. Chelsea are among the admirers of the 22-year-old player and plan to add another left-sided defensive option soon.

Piero Hincapie impresses against AC Milan

Chelsea’s scouts certainly picked a good match to attend to watch Hincapie play live.

The left-footed centre-back, who plays on the left of a back three, helped Leverkusen keep a clean sheet in the Champions League victory over AC Milan.

FotMob data has provided Hincapie’s match statistics versus Milan:

• Match rating – 7.0
• Minutes played – 90
• Touches – 76
• Accurate passes – 66/69 (96%)
• Passes into final third – 5
• Blocks – 1
• Clearances – 1
• Headed clearances – 1
• Fouls committed – 2

Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso previously described Hincapie as an “aggressive” and “modern” defender, as quoted by talkSPORT last year. While we’re not convinced Chelsea need to go out and sign a high-profile centre-back, the Bundesliga star is a very interesting target.