Former Blue Joe Cole has been less than impressed with Chelsea’s transfer business especially in the centre back position.
The Blues currently have ten centre backs on their books and are looking to add another to their ranks this summer.
Chelsea have been strongly linked with Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen and are said to be leading the race for the 20-year-old, with Liverpool also interested.
Cole on Chelsea centre backs
Chelsea are thought to still be keen on Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, whilst Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is thought to be another name under consideration.
The Blues have Mamadou Sarr arriving from Strasbourg in the summer, meaning there’s set to be a lot of change in that position in the window.
It’s likely Axel Disasi will leave, whilst the futures of Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo remain unclear.
Chalobah was brilliant in the 1-0 win against Everton, and Cole feels it was a “crime” to let him leave, whilst he took aim at Chelsea’s recruitment in that area.
“The central defensive position for Chelsea, I think about the players we’ve let out the door, Marc Guehi, Chalobah, Tomori, and the amount of money spent on replacements, the Badiashiles, Fofanas, the Koulibalys of this world, you wonder how that’s gonna play out over the past two years,” he told TNT Sports during commentary.
It’s arguable that a number of the centre backs Chelsea have let go are actually better than some who are currently at the club, highlighted by the fact they want to resign Guehi.
Chelsea desperately need a leader at the back and haven’t replaced what Thiago Silva gave them both on and off the pitch.
The Blues were said to be interested in Virgil van Dijk if he became available on a free transfer, but Guehi arguably ticks the most boxes in terms of what Chelsea need at the back.
It will be interesting to see who the Blues decide to sign, but they have to get it right as they can’t afford to go into another season with no leadership or experience in the backline.
