Chelsea FC v Shamrock Rovers FC - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 - Source: Getty
Chelsea FC v Shamrock Rovers FC - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 - Source: Getty
Chelsea have reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist to bolster their centre-back options. As claimed by Teamtalk correspondent Fraser Fletcher, the Blues are watching Marc Guehi, Tomas Araujo, and Illia Zabarnyi as their three options.
Enzo Maresca has made an exceptional impact at Stamford Bridge having taken charge of Chelsea in the summer. The Blues struggled for any kind of consistency in the last two seasons despite their heavy spending in the transfer market.
In the last two seasons, the west London giants finished 12th and sixth in the table, respectively. However, they find themselves second in the standings this season, sitting just two points behind league leaders Liverpool.
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Fraser Fletcher has claimed that Chelsea could be looking to bolster their defensive options as they look to build on their solid start to life under Maresca. Marc Guehi, Tomas Araujo, and Illia Zabarnyi have reportedly been identified as the options although Araujo could be their number one target.
Guehi has been a key player for Crystal Palace over the years since leaving Chelsea in 2021. The 24-year-old has made 131 appearances for the Eagles till date while being capped 22 times for England.
Araujo, on the other hand, has emerged as one of the brightest young defenders on the planet at Benfica. Aged 22. he has made 42 appearances for the Portuguese giants till date while being capped once for Portugal.
The Blues' third option is reportedly Illia Zabarnyi who has done incredibly well since joining Bournemouth in 2023 from Dynamo Kyiv. The 22-year-old has already made 63 appearances for the Cherries so far while earning 45 caps for Ukraine already.
Sam Allardyce makes big claim regarding Chelsea's title credentials
Sam Allardyce has insisted that Chelsea could win the title this season if they had a clinical striker like Erling Haaland. The former Everton and West Ham United manager has claimed that the Blues could become unstoppable if they had the Manchester City striker in their squad.
Allardyce praised Enzo Maresca's side for their ability to create so many chances but also highlighted their vulnerability at the back. The former England manager said on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, as quoted by TBR Football:
“I mean Chelsea’s chances created to goals scored is really good, chances created, but goals scored could be better. If they had a pure finisher like Haaland they could win the league. I still think they’re slightly suspect defensively."
Maresca has done remarkably well since taking charge at Stamford Bridge in the summer. The Blues are second in the table sitting just two points behind Liverpool and have scored the most league goals among all sides (37).