It's not all gone their way this season, but Chelsea still look like a team heading in the right direction.
Sure, they've lost to the likes of Leeds United and Atalanta, but Enzo Maresca's side have also demolished Barcelona and, despite going down to ten men, held Premier League leaders Arsenal to a 1-1 draw last month.
Moreover, the Blues have an incredibly young team stuffed with some brilliantly talented attackers like Cole Palmer and Estevao.
maresca
However, one area Chelsea could certainly improve is the defence, which could explain reports linking them to an international who has been put on the same level as Virgil Van Dijk and William Saliba.
Chelsea target world-class defender
Chelsea's desire to improve their backline is no secret.
After all, in just the last couple of months, the West Londoners have been linked with some incredible centre-backs, like former academy gem Marc Guehi and Nottingham Forest's £79m Murillo.
However, it looks like the Blues are now looking further afield, at an international superstar who could be on the level of Van Dijk and Saliba.
Van-Dijk-Liverpool
At least, that is according to a recent report from Italy, which claims Chelsea are among several teams interested in Alessandro Bastoni.
In fact, the report has revealed that Maresca is crazy about the Inter Milan defender, who played a key role in the club's Champions League run last season.
However, there are two potential barriers to the move: Inter's reluctance to lose the player, and the fact that he has supposedly said no to the Blues before.
However, even if it proves costly and complicated to get over the line with reports over the summer suggesting he could be worth £87m, this is a transfer Chelsea should pursue. Indeed, Bastoni has the potential to be a world-class signing in the vein of Van Dijk and Saliba.
Why Bastoni is as good as Van Dijk and Saliba
Okay, so aside from the fact that all three play for a top team in one of Europe's top five leagues, where has this comparison between Bastoni and the two Premier League stars come from?
Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni
Well, it stems from content creator Nieve Petruzziello, who in October of last year claimed that the Italian centre-back is "as good as Van Dijk and Saliba."
That might sound like a bold take to those unfamiliar with Serie A, but it's really not.
For example, like his contemporaries, the 26-year-old has established himself as a crucial part of one of the top teams in European football.
Since moving to the San Siro in the summer of 2019, he has made 277 appearances, of which 257 have been starts, scored seven goals and provided 28 assists.
bastoni-inter-milan
The Casalmaggiore-born monster has also established himself as a core part of the national team, winning 41 caps and scoring three goals.
The final surface level similarity is something he shares more with the Dutchman: his trophy cabinet.
Across his career, the 6 foot 3 titan has won two Serie A titles, two Italian Cups, three Italian Super Cups, and even started a game in Italy's triumphant Euro 2020 run.
With all that said, another way to illustrate that the Inter ace is on a similar level to Saliba and Van Dijk is to examine the underlying numbers, in which he ranks closely with them.
Bastoni & Van Dijk & Saliba
Statistics per 90
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
Short Passing Accuracy
Medium Passing Accuracy
Live Passes
Tackle + Interceptions
Shots Blocked
Passes Blocked
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season
Last season, these metrics included things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, live passes, shot and medium-passing accuracy, tackles plus interceptions, and more, all per 90.
In other words, the 26-year-old proved that, like the two Premier League stars, he is elite on the ball and off it.
bastoni-inter-milan
Ultimately, it would be a difficult transfer to get over the line, but Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign Bastoni in 2026, as he could become Maresca's Saliba or Van Dijk-esque leader.
chelsea-premier-league Related
Big name player has privately said that he would join Chelsea in January
It could lead to a very popular transfer.