Chelsea defensive transfer targets
Chelsea transfer targets defenders? Here we look at the latest rumours and news about Chelsea transfer defender targets. We point out defenders and defensive footballers that are considered on top of the Chelsea defender transfer targets this summer list. So which footballers are the Chelsea FC defender transfer targets this summer?
Chelsea defender transfer targets
Chelsea FC manager indicates Maurizio Sarri will want some reinforcements with Cahill set to leave and Luiz north of 30.
Roman Abramovich should give Maurizio Sarri enough budget to secure some of the footballers on the Chelsea Transfer Targets Summer list 2019.
David Luiz’s future is uncertain and Gary Cahill is ageing. So Chelsea may need to bring in a new centre-back (although Kurt Zouma is due back from a great loan spell at Everton). 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. While new signing Emerson has done well since his move last January, Davide Zappacosta has not done so well as the second right-back.
Meanwhile, many fans still maintain that Marcos Alonso isnt good enough to be our first-team full-back.
So with a centre-back (maybe) needed, and a potential overhaul in the wing-back department needed, we will look at who should be on the Top 5 Chelsea defensive transfer targets this summer.
Top 5 Chelsea defender transfer targets this summer 2018
5. Toby Alderweireld- Centre-back
Chelsea have been linked with a big money move for the Belgian Toby Alderweireld recently. The centre-back has had a frustrating season with Spurs after injury problems. But even after he recovered from the injury, he has been left out of the squad by Pochettino. The reason? Well Spurs have yet to tie down the Belgian to a new contract and it’s said that Alderweireld is not happy with what the Spurs have been offering him. His contract runs out next summer and Spurs won’t want to let him leave for free.
The 29-year-old is one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and he surely won’t be happy sitting on the sidelines.
Why should Chelsea sign Toby Alderweireld?
Well firstly, he is one of the best centre-backs in Europe right now. Secondly, Chelsea may need to sign a new centre-back depending on the future of David Luiz while captain Gary Cahill may need to be phased out in a couple of years due to his age (32). And lastly, Chelsea may be able to get a cut-deal price on Alderweireld considering his contract is expiring next year.
Just imagine a defensive squad of Antonio Rudiger, Toby Alderweireld and Cesar Azpilicueta! That would be one formidable defence.
4. Jamaal Lascelles is one of the Chelsea defender transfer targets- Centre-back
If Chelsea fail to convince Spurs to sell them Alderweireld then the Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles is the next best thing. The Englishman was being tipped to make the England squad for the World Cup last year following his impressive season at the Tyneside club. But he was unlucky to miss out after Gareth Southgate named his 23-man squad recently.
Why should Chelsea sign Jamaal Lascelles?
Lascelles fits Chelsea profile in what they look for in a player. He’s young(ish) at 25-years-old. That means he can improve at Chelsea and will also have considerable re-sell value. Additionally, he is English and Chelsea have been keen on English players lately after signing Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater. Chelsea could have a young defensive trio with Kurt Zouma back from loan and Andreas Christensen making the step up.
3. Benjamin Henrichs is one of the Chelsea defender transfer targets- Right-back
Chelsea are being linked with a summer move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Benjamin Henrichs. It’s not a surprise that Chelsea have been linked with right-backs lately. Current first team right-back Dave is brilliant but Chelsea will want to sign someone who can really improve them next season. Dave unfortunately doesn’t cut it-in terms of attacking play.
Why should Chelsea sign Benjamin Henrichs?
Well as mentioned, Dave isn’t the right answer going forward. Chelsea tried rectifying this by signing Davide Zappacosta as competition but he has been uninspiring for the Blues too. Henrichs is one of the highest-rated right-backs in the Bundesliga. The 22-year-old German has put in some fine performances for Bayer Leverkusen. Chelsea should consider signing him.
2. Elseid Hysaj is one of the top Chelsea defender transfer targets- Right-back
Another right-back summer transfer target for Chelsea. Elseid Hysaj was one of Napoli’s best players last season. He helped Napoli to finish second in the Serie A- and almost beating Juventus to the title. It’s quite fitting that Chelsea are being linked with the Napoli full-back consideringMaurizio Sarri is already at Stamford Bridge.
Italian outlet TMW report that the 25-year-old full-back is stalling on a contract extension. Additionally, they state that the Albanian right-back is one of the top targets for Chelsea. They claim that Chelsea could in-fact put in a £40 million bid for the defender this summer.
1. Kalidou Koulibaly- Centre-back
Finally, number one on our Chelsea defender transfer targets is another Napoli man- Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegalese centre-back has been one of Napoli’s best players and one of the Serie A’s best defenders.
Why should Chelsea sign Kalidou Koulibaly?
Chelsea may need to look at signing a new centre-back depending on the situation with a few Chelsea defenders including David Luiz. And The Blues have been heavily linked to Koulibaly in the past too. The Blues put in multiple bids for the Napoli centre-back last summer but a move never materialised as the Napoli bosses wanted at least £60 million for him.
What is Napoli’s price tag on Kalidou Koulibaly?
Although now, Napoli have even raised that valuation once again and reportedly want £105 million! That would smash the current world record fee for a defender (£75m-Virgil Van Dijk).
Kalidou Koulibaly defensive skills and tackling
Why is Kalidou Koulibaly is so highly-rated?
Koulibaly is one of the top centre-backs in the world right now though and he’s also only 26-years-old so the price tag is somewhat understandable. But still, that is a huge price for a defender. But he could be worth it in the end. Look at Liverpool- before they signed Van Dijk their defence was a mess and they just couldn’t keep a clean sheet. Now, their defence has been incredible, their keeping clean sheets and they are in the title race. That price tag isn’t looking so bad now is it?
If Chelsea sign him, Koulibaly could become one of the best Chelsea defenders ever.
See also…
Eden Hazard Vs Lionel Messi: dribbling Videos and Stats
Longest serving Chelsea managers under Abramovich
Chelsea summer transfer targets 2018
Top five strikers Chelsea should sign
