Chelsea will prioritise move to sign ‘unbelievable’ defender who they missed out on getting in 2022

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Chelsea reportedly know which defender they are going to make a priority signing this summer.

During Enzo Maresca’s debut season at Chelsea, there has definitely been a weakness in the defence. The fact they’ve only kept six clean sheets in 29 Premier League matches this campaign is quite alarming.

The Blues have been linked with a host of different defensive profile in recent months.

Apparently, Chelsea’s summer transfer plan is to sign a new goalkeeper, centre-back and striker.

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Chelsea to prioritise Barcelona’s Jules Kounde

According to Spanish publication Sport, Chelsea will go all out to sign Barcelona’s Jules Kounde after making him their priority signing over Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen.

It is understood that Barcelona are trying to tie their versatile 26-year-old defender down to a new deal because his current contract expires in just over two years time.

The report expects Chelsea to make a ‘big bid’ for a defender at the end of the season. Even though Kounde is ‘very happy’ at the Camp Nou, the Frenchman is their priority.

Sport adds that Kounde is well aware he’d get the opportunity to play as a centre-back if he moved to Stamford Bridge, plus his salary would significantly increase.

Kounde’s got the versatility to play anywhere across the backline, but he’s been superb as an out-and-out right-back this season. Speaking via beIN Sports back in September, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick described Kounde as “unbelievable”.

Chelsea missed out on Jules Kounde in 2022

Back in 2022, Kounde was in high demand at Sevilla. Eventually, he was sold to La Liga rivals Barcelona, but Chelsea were right in the mix for his signature.

It was reported in July 2022 that Chelsea were in advanced negotiations for Kounde as they attempted to sign him. However, Thomas Tuchel had doubts about Kounde and bringing him to Chelsea at the time.

On paper, the France international would make a huge difference in the Blues XI. We’d certainly expect him to start for Chelsea as a central defender despite his versatility to thrive at full-back.

It sounds like Kounde may be a long shot this summer because his loyalty to Barcelona, but it would be an outstanding deal if the club pull it off.