It looks like Chelsea are going to try to sign a new central defender during this transfer window.
The expectation was that Chelsea would buy another centre-half in the summer, but their stance appears to have changed following the arrival of Liam Rosenior.
The Blues’ current options include Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong and Levi Colwill.
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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However, Colwill is currently unavailable for selection because of an ACL injury.
Levi Colwill applauds the Chelsea fans after beating Nottingham Forest on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Chelsea will only sign centre-back who can complement Levi Colwill
While Colwill has not played a game all season, the 22-year-old is still in Chelsea’s thinking.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has shared on X that Colwill remains central to Chelsea’s plans and that the club only want to sign a centre-back who will complement the Englishman.
The Conference League holders have been linked with a few centre-halves over the last few days, including Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old will not come cheap, though.
It is thought that Rennes want £57m for Jacquet, who is one of their star players.
The Frenchman has missed just one game in Ligue 1 this season because of suspension. In total, he has made 16 league starts under Habib Beye.
Jeremy Jacquet playing for Rennes
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Chelsea have already missed out on perfect Levi Colwill partner
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi would have complemented Colwill nicely, but the England international is set to join Manchester City.
While Chelsea have shown interest in Guehi, the Club World Cup winners have never made an official proposal for the Palace captain.
JUDGEMENT TIME: Did Chelsea make a mistake not signing Marc Guehi?😬
Enzo Maresca rejected the chance to sign Marc Guehi at Chelsea
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
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Like Colwill, Guehi has also come through Chelsea’s academy, but at 25, he has a bit more experience than his England teammate.
Experience is what Chelsea need right now, especially in defence. Since joining Palace in 2021, Guehi has made over 150 appearances in the Premier League and has been captaining his side.
Guehi is a calm defender on the ball but aggressive when it comes to trying to win it back and closing down centre-forwards. Colwill can be quite similar and could have formed a solid centre-back partnership alongside his fellow Cobham graduate.
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