Chelsea are prepared to seriously push for the potential signing of a defender who’s drawn comparisons with William Gallas, following their decision not to bring in a star new centre-back in the January transfer window.
Chelsea postpone defender signing after Trevoh Chalobah re-call
Enzo Maresca’s side were tipped to target a central defensive ace early on in the winter window, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano sharing news at the time that they were internally debating many options, including Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi.
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The Blues require a Nicolas Jackson alternative this summer.
However, a move for the Palace defender did not materialise, despite some reports that Chelsea had a low-ball offer for Guehi rejected. Instead, the Blues opted to activate the re-call clause in Trevoh Chalobah’s contract, with the Englishman bringing his temporary spell at Selhurst Park to an end.
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Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures |
Date |
|---|---|
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Aston Villa (away) |
February 22nd |
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Southampton (home) |
February 25th |
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Leicester City (home) |
March 9th |
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Arsenal (away) |
March 16th |
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Tottenham (home) |
April 2nd |
Since returning to Chelsea, the previous Maresca outcast has started three of their last four Premier League games, even grabbing an assist in his first game back against Wolves, but BlueCo are also thinking of more long-term solutions.
Reports have suggested that Chelsea are pushing hard to sign Guehi this summer after deciding not to compete for the Englishman in January, and GiveMeSport journalist Dean Jones believes that they’re current favourites to land him, ahead of both Bayern Munich and Tottenham.
The 24-year-old isn’t their only defensive target, though, with Barcelona star Jules Kounde also on their shortlist.
The £216,000-per-week Frenchman can operate both centrally and as a full-back, meaning he could even step in for Reece James or Malo Gusto out wide if required.
This makes him an attractive proposition for Maresca, and there have been suggestions that Kounde and Barca boss Hansi Flick haven’t exactly been seeing eye-to-eye behind the scenes lately.
Now, reporter Graeme Bailey has shared an update on Chelsea’s interest.
Chelsea prepared to push the boat out to sign Jules Koundé
Speaking in an interview this week, Bailey claimed that Chelsea are willing to seriously pursue a move for Kounde if given encouragement, as it is stated that Maresca’s side are massive fans of the 26-year-old.
“Chelsea love Kounde,” said Bailey to the Chelsea Chronicle.
“Barca have had these issues with him and are confident he will sign a new deal. He’s one of the players Chelsea would push the boat out for, he’s a spectacular player.
“He’s such a brilliant fit, he’d be like the Gallas type player where he can play centrally, can play right. He would be brilliant for Chelsea.”
This season, Kounde has proved an indispensable member of Flick’s matchday eleven – making 24 La Liga appearances and averaging more tackles per 90 than any other Catalans mainstay (WhoScored).
