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Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nDown the years, Chelsea have missed out on some truly world-class players.<\/strong><\/p>\n Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero is one name that instantly comes to mind. In the past, he was a key centre-forward target for Chelsea<\/a> before they eventually pivoted to Fernando Torres.<\/p>\n Chelsea also showed interest in one of Aguero\u2019s former City teammates, which he has now gone on record to confirm.<\/p>\n In 2018, City signed Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Club. However, it appears that Chelsea were also an option for the defender.<\/p>\n Speaking to former Atletico Madrid and Spain midfielder Mario Suarez on his YouTube<\/a> channel, Laporte said: \u201cWhen [Pep] Guardiola was at Bayern, he already had the City project in mind. He called me and told me he was going to City, that I was a key player, and that he\u2019d like me to partner with [John] Stones. There were other clubs very interested: Barca and Chelsea.<\/p>\n \u201cWe made the decision, and at the end of the season, I went with the French Under-21s and suffered a serious ankle injury. Mentally, I wasn\u2019t ready to go to England at that time; it seemed too far from my family. I had doubts.<\/p>\n \u201cOne club backed out because of the injury, but the others kept going. We continued talking, and I realised I wasn\u2019t ready, especially with the injury. I renewed my contract with the intention of staying, and if the opportunity arose later, I wanted Athletic Bilbao to benefit. A year and a half later, they called me again. Athletic Bilbao were having an average season. People expected more from me. I was ready to go to another league, so I went to City. The rest is history.\u201d<\/p>\n Rio Ferdinand is still a fan!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Laporte will have no regrets about joining City. There, the World Cup winner went on to win six Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy.<\/p>\n In that time, Chelsea were also able to win the Champions League. However, they have not got their hands on the Premier League title since 2017, before Laporte moved to the Etihad.<\/p>\n On paper, Chelsea have some good centre-backs right now, including Maxence Lacroix. Lacroix was excellent for France<\/a> in their 1-0 victory over Belgium on Monday night, putting in a really solid display. The Blues do not have a better centre-half than Laporte in his prime, though.<\/p>\n After the international break, Lacroix and the rest of Chelsea\u2019s defence have to improve. This season, they have conceded far too many goals. They have actually conceded the most goals in the Premier League.<\/p>\n Two of Chelsea\u2019s main weaknesses<\/a> are defending set pieces and stopping counter-attacks, according to WhoScored. With that in mind, it would obviously not hurt to have a centre-back of Laporte\u2019s quality.<\/p>\n That ship has obviously sailed now, but Chelsea could sign a future Spain international in Jacobo Ramon. Chelsea have been linked with Ramon<\/a>, but Real Madrid are said to have a buy-back clause.<\/p>\nChelsea wanted to sign Aymeric Laporte before Manchester City move<\/h2>\n
What do you make of the criticism Cole Palmer has faced since withdrawing from the England squad?<\/h3>\n
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