Chelsea are keeping tabs on Evan Ndicka alongside other centre-back targets as they remain keen on a new left-footed option.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Chelsea have set their sights on several central defenders ahead of the January and summer transfer windows. Evan Ndicka gets mentioned as a target, although others feature prominently on their list.
Chelsea are undertaking a rather aggressive revamp of their squad since the arrival of new owners. Todd Boehly has overseen only one big window, spending significantly on both young and experienced players.
Boehly was instrumental in the arrivals of Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella. Those deals signalled their intent to target players of a younger age group. Chelsea also handed new contracts to Reece James and Armando Broja, while Mason Mount seems next in line.
As part of their recruitment drive, Chelsea continue to look for a new left-footed central defender. They wanted a player of a younger profile but ended up signing experienced centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegalese international is yet to show quality in line with the club’s expectations.
Recent reports have even claimed that Chelsea could sell Koulibaly as early as January and already have names to replace him. The Blues have remained in the market for a left-footed centre-half. And going by the profile they require, a few names have come on their radar.
Evan Ndicka is one of those watched and followed by Chelsea. The 23-year-old defender might be available as a free agent in the summer when he leaves Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. And quite a few clubs are chasing the centre-back. The Frenchman is an experienced professional, having played consistently and at the top level in the Bundesliga for many years.
Recent reports claimed Arsenal had agreed on a deal with Ndicka. Going by David Ornstein’s links to Chelsea, that may not be the case. The 23-year-old defender is a solid option for the Blues in their bid to strengthen a weakened position since Antonio Rudiger’s departure.
Ornstein has suggested that AS Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile could become Chelsea’s primary target. And Ndicka could be an alternate option. Realistically, the Blues want Josko Gvardiol and remain in touch with his camp. The RB Leipzig defender’s asking price is a problem, hence the possible switching of targets.
Ndicka will have plenty of offers, as he seems destined to leave Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt as a free agent. English clubs could look to tie him down on a pre-contract in January, so Chelsea may have to act fast to secure the 23-year-old defender.
