Chelsea in the market for a new defender in the summer
According to Matt Law of the Telegraph via CFC Daily, Chelsea could be in the market for a new defender come the summer.
The Blues signed Thiago Silva for free and the Brazilian has gone on to solidify the Blues rearguard this season.
The veteran Brazilian has formed a formidable partnership with Kurt Zouma and is the club’s first-choice defensive pairing. However, he is set to turn 37 this year, Silva is not a long-term option.
While Chelsea do have three other central defenders in their roster, their standing at the club is suspect. Andreas Christensen is the third choice centre-back, while Antonio Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori make up the numbers.
Both Christensen and Rudiger’s contracts are up in the summer of 2022. It makes sense for the club to move them on in the summer and reinvest the money in bringing in suitable replacements.
Tomori meanwhile is held in high regard and could still have a future at Chelsea. The 23-year-old is touted to leave on loan this January. Regular game time elsewhere will kickstart his development that has somewhat stalled.
Law also went on to confirm that the Blues do have the option to extend Silva’s contract by another year. Given the impact he has had, it will be well earned.
A long-term option!
One defender who will be available in the summer is Dayot Upamecano. According to the Guardian, the RB Leipzig ace is set to see out the remainder of the season in Germany before moving on at the end of the season.
The Blues are among a host of clubs keen on the 22-year-old services. He would surely be an upgrade over the defensive cast we have today. Whether the club will make a move for him remains to be seen.
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Despite a busy summer, the Blues are still a work in progress. Of Chelsea’s backline, only Kurt Zouma and Ben Chilwell can be considered long-term options.
It remains to be seen as to who will join them at the club.