Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca would likely welcome the addition of a new central defender at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea‘s current backline lacks experience and no one knows how Levi Colwill will fare once he returns from his ACL injury.
With that in mind, while Maresca would probably like to see the Blues bring in another centre-back next year, he will not want just any centre-half.
Marc Guehi continues to be linked to Chelsea and is someone you can imagine Maresca signing off on, but he is not the only central defender who could be a good fit for the Chelsea boss.
Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen on the ball
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Former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen could leave Barcelona on free transfer
One thing that makes Guehi such an appealing option is the fact that he will be available on a free transfer next summer, and Barcelona’s Andreas Christensen is another top centre-back who could cost nothing in 2026.
Christensen, who left Chelsea for Barcelona in 2022, is into the final year of his contract at the Spotify Camp Nou.
According to Marca, Barcelona are in no hurry to offer the Dane a contract extension, meaning that there could be an opportunity to sign him ahead of the 2026/27 season.
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Centre-back has been a problem position for Chelsea this term and not just because of Colwill’s injury. Maresca has also lost Tosin Adarabioyo to a fitness issue, while Trevoh Chalobah missed the Blues’ 2-1 win against Liverpool because of suspension.
However, Maresca has found a way to cope, with Benoit Badiashile, Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato all stepping up amid the club’s centre-half crisis.
Badiashile and Acheampong were really good against Liverpool, for example, shackling both Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca celebrating late winner
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Andreas Christensen could be ideal fit for Enzo Maresca
Maresca wants central defenders who can pass out from the back, and that is something that Christensen has no trouble with.
As per FBref, the Denmark international makes 5.24 progressive passes per 90 minutes, putting him in the 88th percentile among his positional peers over the last year.
Christensen could fulfil the Colwill role perfectly in his absence, and at 29, he would bring some much-needed experience to this young Chelsea squad.