Accidents to each Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana might alter Chelsea’s summer season switch plans. The previous’s hamstring downside was at all times going to impression his pre-season, however the latter’s ACL damage means Chelsea are with no key centre-back till early 2024 on the earliest. Fofana’s absence might now see the Blues delve into the marketplace for one other defender to ease the Frenchman’s prolonged absence on the sidelines as we select 5 that the membership might take into account transferring for this summer season.
Marc Guehi – Crystal Palace
Chelsea allowed Marc Guehi to depart for Crystal Palace two years in the past. In hindight, it wasn’t one of the best enterprise by the Blues. Guehi has blossomed into one of many most interesting defenders within the Premier League, and his performances for the Eagles have definitely caught the attention. With one other three years left to run on his present deal at Selhurst Park, Palace are below no strain to promote the 23-year-old.
As such, Palace have supposedly set an asking worth of £50m for the England worldwide, who received possession within the defensive third extra instances (167) than some other participant within the Premier League final season. A composed particular person each on and off the ball, Guehi might show the proper long-term centre-back associate for compatriot and fellow Chelsea academy product Levi Colwill.
💪 Marc Guehi received possession within the defensive third (167) a minimum of 17 extra instances than some other participant within the Premier League this season pic.twitter.com/7MozgRimEb
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 18, 2023
Harry Maguire – Manchester United
Having been stripped of the Manchester United captaincy, Harry Maguire is anticipated to depart the membership this summer season. The England worldwide has dropped to fifth alternative centre-back below Erik ten Hag, with left-back Luke Shaw now forward of Maguire within the pecking order. A change of scene is required.
Whereas many might scoff on the concept of Maguire transferring to Chelsea, he’s a Premier League skilled defender in want of a contemporary begin to reignite his profession. The 30-year-old’s England performances reinforce how efficient a defender Maguire could be in the best system below the best boss. He’d have the proper man supervisor in Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, and this may very well be key to the defender transferring his stable nation kind to membership.
Aymeric Laporte – Manchester Metropolis
Manchester Metropolis’s ongoing pursuit of Josko Gvardiol suggests Aymeric Laporte’s time on the membership is over. The Spain worldwide struggled for normal minutes final time period, however when referred to as upon was a reassuring presence on the again that abided by Pep Guardiola’s calls for to construct assaults from defence.
Certainly, Laporte ranked third for passes per 90 (85.7) of all defenders within the Premier League final season, and whereas he has endured his damage points, the centre-back is a composed and skilled particular person that will help the event of the youthful defenders on the Blues’ books. Mateo Kovacic has swapped Stamford Bridge for the Etihad Stadium this summer season. Supplied Metropolis are keen to do enterprise, Laporte might make the reverse journey to assist ease Fofana’s absence.
Axel Disasi – Monaco
Whereas nothing has come to fruition this summer season, Axel Disasi has been linked with a Premier League change forward of subsequent month’s deadline. Manchester United and Newcastle have each been monitoring the France worldwide, however reviews counsel Chelsea may be out there for the Monaco man.
Disasi’s greatest place is at centre-back, but has operated at right-back on a handful of events, and this potential versatility might attraction to the Blues. The 25-year-old is robust within the air and keen to place his physique on the road to guard his facet’s objective, and this dedicated method to defending would definitely sit properly with Chelsea followers. There may be work to be carried out to enhance his distribution, nonetheless it is a facet to his sport that may be refined by Pochettino and co.
Benjamin Pavard – Bayern Munich
Chelsea had been linked with a transfer for Benjamin Pavard earlier in the summertime, however these reviews have since gone quiet. Fofana’s damage, although, means the Blues are weighing up their choices, and Pavard might but emerge as a possible goal as soon as extra. Manchester Metropolis are reportedly eager on the Frenchman as a possible alternative for Kyle Walker, who himself has supposedly agreed phrases with Bayern.
The German facet’s seize of Kim Min-Jae from Napoli might have been made attainable by Lucas Hernandez’s sale to PSG, however Pavard is certainly one of their sellable property as they search to fund a transfer for Harry Kane. Snug at each right-back and centre-back, this versatility in defence with no drop in efficiency ranges is a key cause behind curiosity from European champions Metropolis. With a want to get the ball on the deck and play out from the again, the 27-year-old would show an astute seize offered Chelsea might get a deal carried out.
