Chelsea are expected to explore the transfer market for a central defender in the summer.
Jeremy Jacquet was a target for Chelsea in January, but the Blues failed to agree a deal with Rennes and the 20-year-old has now signed for Liverpool instead.
Chelsea could still sign a centre-back in 2026, though, and may return to the French market for reinforcements.
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Chelsea's January transfer window
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In the meantime, Liam Rosenior will have to rely on the likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Mamadou Sarr, with the latter being recalled from his loan at Strasbourg on deadline day.
Lucas Beraldo of PSG looks on
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Chelsea add Lucas Beraldo to shortlist
In 2020, Chelsea signed Thiago Silva from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, and it looks like they are now interested in another Brazilian from the French club.
On Si Phillips Talks Chelsea, journalist Simon Phillips has claimed that Lucas Beraldo is one name on the Blues’ shortlist of central defenders for the summer.
Beraldo can play at centre-back and left-back and has made 10 appearances for PSG in Ligue 1 this season.
The 22-year-old is not an automatic starter at the Parc des Princes, so perhaps he may be available in the next transfer window.
Chelsea were thought to have been interested in Dayot Upamecano, but the Frenchman is set to sign a new contract at Bayern Munich, so the Club World Cup winners will have to buy Beraldo or someone else.
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(L-R) Renato Marin, Marquinhos (Marcos Aoas Correa) and Lucas Beraldo of Paris Saint-Germain
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Where Lucas Beraldo is outperforming every other PSG player
Beraldo is a central defender who knows when to clear his lines. As per WhoScored, the Brazil international is making 4.6 clearances per game in Ligue 1 this term, which is the highest average in Luis Enrique’s squad.
Of course, to play under any modern-day coach today, defenders need to be able to do more than defend. They also have to be able to pass out from the back.
It is no different for Rosenior’s centre-halves, so Beraldo will have to bring more to the table than just clearances if he does join Chelsea in the summer.
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