There’s no point in dwelling on what could have been when it comes to transfers, especially as a Chelsea fan, but it’s hard in this case given the form of one youngster at Man United.
The Blues cast a wide net with their transfer approach and sometimes, they miss out on gold.
That is the case with one centre-back in a hot run of form, who Chelsea could have had for free but opted against pursuing.
It’s a decision that may come back to haunt them in years to come.
Ayden Heaven in action during Manchester United v Hong Kong
Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Manchester United via Getty Images
Chelsea had Man United star Ayden Heaven on trial
Ayden Heaven is as exciting a centre-back prospect as you’ll find in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old moved to Old Trafford at the start of the year, but has only recently broken into the first team as a regular for Ruben Amorim.
He could have been fighting for a place in Enzo Maresca’s side, though. That’s according to scout Terry Bobie, who managed Heaven’s Sunday League team.
As he explains to the Daily Mail: “It wasn’t easy because everything was stop-start. He played a friendly for us and he was training with me on a regular basis, one-to-one every week.
“I sent him into Chelsea for a trial but he was unsuccessful there and then I passed him onto my friend at Arsenal. Prior to that he had gone into Fulham and Tottenham. People had different opinions on him.”
Heaven would develop at Arsenal before making the switch to Manchester, but looking back, Chelsea should have tried to lock him down at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea need to make room before they can sign another centre-back. Who are you getting rid of?
Levi Colwill is definitely untouchable ❌
Chelsea’s list of first-team centre-backs
Levi Colwill
Wesley Fofana
Trevoh Chalobah
Benoit Badiashile
Tosin Adarabioyo
Josh Acheampong
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal with teammate Wesley Fofana
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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Chelsea not short of young centre-back talent
Despite the regretful nature of that particular missed opportunity, the Blues have done well overall when it comes to recruitment and development in the heart of the defence.
At 19, Josh Acheampong is a player for the future at Chelsea, already showing flashes of brilliance in limited opportunities.
Chelsea have reached an agreement for Deinner Ordonez, a 16-year-old Ecuadorian defender, who will arrive in a couple of years.
SCENARIO: You are one of Chelsea’s sporting directors and Todd Boehly has given you £60m to spend in January. Who are you signing?
Your potential shortlist could include:
Kobbie Mainoo
Mike Maignan
Marc Guehi
Todd Boehly and Paul Winstanley during Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
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Centre-back is a difficult place to recruit young, as it is a position that requires experience and learning from costly mistakes. While Chelsea dropped the ball with Heaven, what they have done at that position gives reason to be excited.
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