Abramovich gives £100m go-ahead to complete triple swoop for defensive stars

Marina Granovskaia green lights triple swoop for defensive reinforcements

According to the Daily Star, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given Marina Granovskaia the freedom to sanction over £100million to bring in a trio of defenders.

If Chelsea have learned anything from our FA Cup final loss Arsenal and the capitulation in Germany to Bayern Munich, it is that a defensive rebuild is needed this summer.

Having already signed Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, the Blues frontline has received a much-needed boost. Attention now looks to be shifting to the other end of the pitch.

Marina Granovskaia to green light Chelsea's pursuit of three defenders
Marina Granovskaia to green light Chelsea’s pursuit of three defenders

The biggest name on the list is that of Leicester City star Ben Chilwell. The 23-year-old had emerged as the preferred choice to take over as the first-choice left-back at Stamford Bridge.

According to The Times, the Blues are now closing in on the English defender following a breakthrough in talks. Leicester value their star defender at £80m.

With Emerson Palmieri looking set to leave the club, Chilwell is set to be ahead of Marcos Alonso in the Chelsea pecking order if he signs.

Ben Chilwell is Chelsea's top left-back target
Ben Chilwell is Chelsea’s top left-back target

The Blues have also failed to find confidence from their center-back pairings. Frank Lampard has chosen from a quartet of Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen, and Fikayo Tomori this season. None of the four players has managed to showcase any sort of reliability, necessitating the need to add leadership into the mix.

Chelsea look to be doing just that in their pursuit of Manchester City star John Stones and Brighton and Hove Albion skipper Lewis Dunk. (h/t Daily Star)

While Stones has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad, a move to the Bridge would be a dream come true for Dunk.

John Stones has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester City
John Stones has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester City

While neither of them are the most fashionable names out there, their ability on the ball and inherent defensive nous speaks for itself. In short, the duo could prove to be inspired, shrewd signings for Chelsea.

An added bonus would be the organizational and leadership abilities Dunk brings to the table. Chelsea have lacked a vocal leader at the back and could finally be on the verge of landing one.

Lewis Dunk has been a consistent performer for Brighton (Getty Images)
Lewis Dunk has been a consistent performer for Brighton (Getty Images)

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Chelsea have lofty ambitions of becoming the top side in English football once again. However, given the current chasm that exists between us and the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, reinforcement is key.

The club looks to be doing just that. How far we can pull it off remains to be seen.