Chelsea Defender Transfer Targets This Summer 2020
Chelsea transfer targets defenders? Here, we will look at the latest rumours and news about Chelsea defender transfer targets. We point out defenders and defensive footballers that are considered on top of Chelsea’s radar for the summer of 2020. So, which footballers are the Chelsea FC defender transfer targets this summer?
Roman Abramovich should give Frank Lampard enough budget to secure some of the footballers on the Chelsea transfer targets list. Chelsea may need to bring in a new centre-back (although Antonio Rudiger is just back from an injury), a left-back, a winger and a striker. So even if Chelsea may be stocked up on centre-backs, they may need to replace one or two.
Additionally, Chelsea have had issues in the wing-back position. Emerson has proven to be incompetent on the left flank and Marcos Alonso is not cutting it either. Davide Zappacosta has been moved out on loan along with Victor Moses to the Serie A. Reece James is still young and learning with Cezar Azpilicueta as his mentor. But improvements are still necessary in order to return to title-challenging ways.
Top 5 Chelsea Defender Transfer Targets This Summer 2020
So with a centre-back (maybe) needed, and a potential overhaul in the fullback department, we will look at who should be on the top 5 Chelsea defensive transfer targets list for this summer 2020.
5. Alex Grimaldo
Top 5 Chelsea Defender Transfer Targets This Summer 2020
So with a centre-back (maybe) needed, and a potential overhaul in the fullback department, we will look at who should be on the top 5 Chelsea defensive transfer targets list for this summer 2020.
5. Alex Grimaldo
A product of the famed La Masia academy, Grimaldo has certainly lived up to his reputation after moving away from Barcelona. Aged 24, he is viewed as the successor to Jordi Alba at the Camp Nou but several Premier League clubs are ahead of the curve. Jose Mourinho is already trying to convince Danie Levy into signing the left-footed fullback.
Grimaldo is valued at around £30m by Benfica which is more than fair for a player of his talents. The Spaniard is a rocket ship down the left flank with 11 goals and 30 assists in 156 appearances for the Eagles. He left Barca in 2016 and has developed into his prime very quickly. There is still doubt over his physicality and whether it is suited to the Premier League but everything else makes him a very favourable target for Chelsea.
4. Alex Telles – Chelsea Defender Transfer Targets
Telles is another option as a replacement for Marcos Alonso. Telles plays for Grimaldo’s rival club in Portugal, FC Porto. He is a little older at 27 and is also rated very highly by other European outfits. Telles has represented Brazil at senior level just once. He has also registered 21 goals and 52 assists in 183 appearances for Porto. His contract with the Super Liga outfit is due to run out in June 2021, which will give Chelsea to drive a hard bargain. Porto will be desperate to sell the Brazilian unless he signs a contract extension by this summer.
3. Samuel Umtiti
Samuel Umtiti has fallen out of favour with Barcelona and is anticipating a Camp Nou exit soon. His agent has already admitted that the Frenchman prefers a move to West London with Arsenal and Manchester United also reportedly interested in him. Umtiti’s injury history will probably discourage many Chelsea fans but don’t overlook his career resume. A World Cup winner and a regular for two straight seasons at Barcelona, Umtiti could regain his form once again in a different environment. He will also offer Chelsea a different dynamic in defence due to his strong left-foot.
2. Gabriel Magalhaes
Chelsea have taken notice of Gabriel’s talents and so has several other Premier League clubs including rivals, Arsenal. The Brazilian defender has spent the past two seasons on loan to really impress in the Lille ranks this season. He made 34 appearances this season before the Coronavirus pandemic halted all football across the continent. Gabriel’s athleticism, pace and tenacity makes him an ideal partner to Antonio Rudiger but his composure and passing traits definitely suits him to Frank Lampard’s style of play. Reports suggest that the defender could arrive for anywhere close to £30m.
1. Ben Chilwell – Top Chelsea Defender Transfer Targets
The reason Ben Chilwell has made it to the top of this list is because of the transfer fees he could command this summer. Chelsea desperately want the Leicester City left-back. An English talent who is still young and on the verge of breaking into his prime is exactly the type of player Frank Lampard has been targetting. We have already seen an outbreak of academy starlets this season and you can tell in an instant, how Lampard is setting up his team.
The 41-year-old demands high energy and effort from his young stars and Chilwell packs plenty of that under his boots. He is lightning quick on the break and is very eager to overlap behind the attacking players. What makes him an attractive prospect is his diligence on the defensive end. While not exactly the best tackler, Chilwell more than makes up for it with his positioning and eagerness to run back, something which has gone missing the current set of players.
Why should Chelsea sign Chilwell?
Even Ashley Cole has coveted the 23-year-old as he said, “I would love to see him at Chelsea. He’s doing really, really well at Leicester. He’s enjoying the way Brendan plays and his system; he’s got that licence to attack.
“When he’s played for England he’s played well – in his last game he got three assists. He’s shown quality not just on the ball, but one-on-one he can defend and he likes to defend. I think he’s quality and I’ve heard he’s a Chelsea fan, too, so I would like to see him here. Whether he would want to leave, or if Leicester would want to sell him, that’s something the clubs would have to talk about.
“Not forgetting we’ve got Alonso here and Emerson, who I like, and Cesar can also play there. So if you buy a player you’ve still got another three players you need to try to keep happy or whether they want to leave or not… so it’s a big decision for the club. But he’s got the quality. For sure he’s good enough.”
