Chelsea are now surely going to have to wait until the summer to sign a new central defender.
Jeremy Jacquet is about to join Liverpool, so Chelsea are set to miss out on the Rennes star. The Blues are now expected to recall Mamadou Sarr, making the arrival of another centre-back very unlikely.
However, the club still signing a centre-half in the next transfer window is not impossible.
If you could sign any player before the transfer window closes, who would it be? ✍️
We want to hear your realistic names below!
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Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande could be a good alternative to Jacquet, while Chelsea are already thought to be holding discussions with one well-established name.
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Chelsea have spoken to Dayot Upamecano’s camp
Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and Chelsea are trying to take advantage of that.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are one of several top clubs who have held talks with Upamecano’s camp.
The same outlet claims that there is now “genuine concern” about the Frenchman’s future at the Allianz Arena because of all of the interest currently being shown in him.
DISCUSS: Dayot Upamecano to Chelsea
A more experienced option than Jeremy Jacquet ✅
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Given his contract situation, then, Chelsea have a chance of signing Upamecano this summer. Until then, Liam Rosenior will have to continue relying on Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong.
Again, Sarr could also become an option for the Chelsea head coach, but there is little chance of Bayern allowing Upamecano to leave Vincent Kompany’s side now.
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Pros and cons of signing Dayot Upamecano
At 27 and having played for Bayern and France, Upamecano obviously has a lot of experience, something that Chelsea’s squad is lacking.
Upamecano is also a rapid centre-back who knows how to recover, while being able to pick him up on a free transfer would be a bonus.
However, the France international can be prone to making mistakes and is sometimes guilty of lapses in concentration.
Ultimately, Upamecano could be the ideal centre-back signing for Chelsea, but he does not come without risks.
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