Chelsea are looking to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer.placeholder image
Chelsea are looking to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer. | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea’s defence could be a major area of strengthening for the Blues this summer - and a Serie A star might be the answer.
Chelsea have been dealt a significant blow to their Champions League qualification chances in recent weeks and saw their defensive frailties made apparent as Everton struck three times with no reply at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
The defeat was one of the Blues’ most damaging of the season and followed their 8-2 aggregate humiliation against PSG in the Champions League, where Liam Rosenior’s side were taught a lesson by the European champions.
There will be several issues to resolve this summer. Firstly, doubts over forward areas with a number of their summer signings not living up to expectations, while the centre-back position has been one of concern for some time and defensive performances in recent weeks have only exacerbated this. The discipline issues endured both under Rosenior and predecessor Enzo Maresca will also need to be sorted out. Now Chelsea have been linked with a Serie A defender, per recent reports, with the Blues supposedly targeting a man whose profile has risen substantially this campaign.
Chelsea linked with ‘decisive’ AC Milan defender as defensive worries deepen
As per reports by Calcio Mercato in Italy, Chelsea are ‘ready’ to swoop for AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlović, who has been a rock at the back for the Rossoneri this season and could be in high demand over the summer.
The Serbia international has made 26 Serie A appearances this season, contributing with four goals from the back, and has been “fundamental” for a Milan side who are second in the league table and retain hopes of toppling arch-rivals Inter and securing the Scudetto.
Reporting continues that Chelsea are prepared to splash £35 million for the “decisive” defensive powerhouse. Milan are not keen to sell but might see the value in making such a capital gain on a player they signed for £15.5m from RB Salzburg in summer 2024. He endured an up-and-down first season at the club but has come into his own under Massimiliano Allegri, becoming one of the “most important” players in the side as transfer interest grows.
Pavlović could be the rock at the back which Chelsea have been missing
Pavlović is certainly a player whose reputation is on the up. As such, his market value as per Transfermarkt has practically doubled from €18m (£15.5m) to €35m (£30.3m) in the 2025/26 season alone.
The 24-year-old’s physical attributes make him a weapon at both ends of the pitch and should mean he is well-suited to the increasingly physical and set-piece heavy direction of travel in the Premier League.
Meanwhile for Chelsea, defensive additions who can grow into leaders at the back are high on the wish-list for next season. The Blues have a mix of both youth and players in their prime years at centre-back and yet not one player has stood up as a leader in the position this term, which has become especially striking during a run of four straight defeats. The fact that four of their regular starters in defence – Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto – have all received a red card this season only furthers the notion that a defensive revamp is required at Stamford Bridge.
Two defensive signings might be needed to turn things around. The addition of an experienced centre-back, arriving to partner a player improving rapidly as he approaches his prime years such as Pavlović, could allow Chelsea to find the solidity at the back which they have been so crying out for this term.
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