Chelsea and Manchester United will eye up a central defender on priority with a host of options presented in front of these clubs.
Fabrizio Romano insists Chelsea and Manchester United will target a new central defensive signing in January. The need comes after some abject performances this season and the need to add quality players to their backline.
Chelsea made several changes to their squad during the close season and spent significantly on many young players. They also added Axel Disasi to their ranks, with the former Monaco star mainly a central defender by profile.
After their first ten games this season in the Premier League, it’s clear that veteran Thiago Silva and young academy star Levi Colwill have stuck a partnership for the central roles. The likes of Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Disasi are all backups to those two.
Yet, Mauricio Pochettino remains unconvinced by the quality on board, which has led to Fabrizio Romano commenting on their need for a central defender. Going by their recently adopted transfer policy, the club might move for a young player, ready to develop into a future first-team star.
🚨🔵 Striker will be Chelsea priority in 2024 but #CFC also looking at centre backs as part of their plan for January or summer, based on opportunities.
Both Chelsea and Man United [as called in September] are monitoring talented CBs around Europe.
More: https://t.co/ok8UyLn3pK pic.twitter.com/zBkQJdZ1yS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 29, 2023
Incidentally, they are linked with Leny Yoro, the LOSC Lille teenager, considered an emerging talent, having broken through to their first team. Similarly, there are links with Alessandro Bastoni, but signing the Italian will come with complications and a massive price tag.
Chelsea needing a new central defender is one thing, but they already have a stacked-up backline. The idea might resonate well if they manage to sell Chalobah in January, which may have been their plan heading into the next window.
Romano insists Manchester United are also in the hunt for a new central defender. Erik ten Hag has managed to play with a depleted backline due to injuries to his key defenders since the season began. Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are already missing, alongside two fullbacks in Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrel Malacia.
Emergency signings of Sergio Reguilon and veteran Jonny Evans haven’t worked out well, as Ten Hag desperately needs reinforcements to his backline. The Dutchman might prioritise a centre-back above other positions, with links to several players, including Sebastian Caceres and Robin Le Normand.
Jean-Clair Todibo also features on their list, but any incomings will force Ten Hag to raise funds. Manchester United may not have the healthiest of positions with their finances, and that showed during the summer window.
The same problems may not exist at Chelsea for the time being, as Todd Boehly might open his chequebooks to bring whoever Pochettino wants. Hence, the two clubs could have a massive say in the market for central defenders, as they will look for the right solutions to solve their respective problems.
