Ranking the four defenders Chelsea are weighing up ahead of January, including £70m ace
Chelsea are all over the place defensively. A total of 12 goals conceded in five Premier League games already has left the transfer team eyeing new defenders. Below, we rank four linked players.
Chelsea have already spent around £120m on new defensive signings under Xabi Alonso. Pep Chavarria cost around £22m, Maxence Lacroix was a £52m signing, and Marco Palestra cost just under £50m.
It has not had the desired impact. Lacroix has struggled and was even dropped against Hull City, while Chavarria has started only one game – the 3-0 loss at Brentford. Palestra is yet to play a single minute.
Below, we rank the four central defenders being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge – with one considered a £70m-rated defender, and another currently struggling for minutes under Enzo Maresca.
Ranking the four central defenders being linked with Chelsea
4. Raul Asencio (Real Madrid)
Chelsea made an offer to sign Asencio in the summer, but the 22-year-old remained at Madrid. There is a player with potential there, and he played under Xabi Alonso during the Chelsea gaffer’s stint at Madrid.
But there are off-field issues with Asencio, as well as his lack of discipline. The physical defender is not as good in the air as his frame would suggest, and Chelsea would have to pay a lot more than his worth.
3. Abdukodir Khusanov (Man City)
Khusanov has made a positive impact since moving to Man City for £34m from Lens. The Uzbekistan star has shown pace, a tough-tackling style of play and versatility across the defence and Chelsea want him.
Chelsea signed more experienced players this summer to get SERIOUS! What impact has it made on the team so far? 🤔
This is a player with huge potential, and would be a stunning signing even if Chelsea ended up paying north of £50m. But the chances of a deal are tiny, given the relationship between Man City and Chelsea.
2. Jacobo Ramon (Como)
Ramon is the star of Cesc Fabregas’ excellent Como defence. Already a leader at his young age, described as “devastating” by the former Blues midfielder, Ramon would be a stunning signing if Chelsea get him.
The issue with signing Ramon is that Real Madrid have a buyback clause worth just £7m. Like Nico Paz, it is likely they re-sign him and then sell him for a profit. Arsenal are also considering the Spanish defender.
1. Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
Italy international Bastoni is head and shoulders above the rest of the players linked with Chelsea ahead of January. Bastoni is genuinely considered one of the best defenders in the world, and Chelsea are keen.
The £70m-rated defender is a top-quality operator, just as good as he is on the ball as he is defensively. But Chelsea’s chances of signing Bastoni? As things stand, the chances feel incredibly small.
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