After a season characterised by disappointment, dejection and defensive frailty, both Liverpool and Chelsea are in need of a top-quality centre-back in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Liverpool have just four natural centre-backs at the club, one of whom has been injured for the whole season. Chelsea, on the other hand, have plenty of options in central defence – however, none of them have been particularly impressive in 2025/26.
As such, we put together a list of five centre-backs that each of the two clubs could sign ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season. Who would be your pick?
Jeremy Jacquet
A long-term Liverpool target, it’s easy to see why the Reds are so keen on a move for Jeremy Jacquet. He is the archetypal modern centre-back – big, strong and technically adept, he is also only 20 years of age.
Jacquet has enormous potential in the world of football. Chelsea, being a club who like to sign young players, would also have room for a player of his ilk within their setup.
He will not come cheap, however. He is under contract at Rennes until 2029, which means they can command a sizeable transfer fee for the France U21 international.
Marcos Senesi
Marcos Senesi has led a fantastic campaign at Bournemouth this season – the Cherries could be on course to finish in the top six, which would see them playing Europa League football next campaign.
Like Jacquet, he also possesses all the attributes you would expect from a centre-half in the current era. He makes an average of seven clearances every game – furthermore, only James Tarkowski makes more blocks than he does on average per game.
On top of this, Senesi is out of contract at the end of the season – assuming he doesn’t sign a new deal with Bournemouth before then, he will become a free agent on July 1.
Maxence Lacroix
Many thought Crystal Palace would collapse after Marc Guehi left the club in January. Truthfully, their form has taken a hit, but Maxence Lacroix has done plenty of good work to hold things together in his absence.
A fast, technically-sound defender, Lacroix allows his team to play as high a line as they want to – given his pace and anticipational skills, he can catch any runners who look to play off the shoulder of the last man.
He has played in all but two of Palace’s Premier League games this season. Given the injury records of Liverpool and Chelsea’s current set of defenders, such reliability would be invaluable to them.
Mario Gila
A tough, tenacious centre-back who strikes fear into the hearts of attacking players, Mario Gila looks like a player tailor-made for the Premier League. Currently at Lazio, he has been a key player for the Italian giants this season.
His contract is due to expire in 2027 and he has shown no signs of signing a fresh deal, despite the best efforts of the Lazio hierarchy.
Nevertheless, this means that he has plenty of potential suitors. Outside of Liverpool and Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan are also thought to be in the mix.
Jan Paul van Hecke
Jan Paul van Hecke has been impressive for a number of years, but this has been a real breakout campaign for the Dutchman – he has been an absolute superstar at the back for Brighton.
The Dutch international ticks every box imaginable. He’s fast, physically imposing, technically gifted and he also possesses some brilliant defensive instincts.
Playing alongside Lewis Dunk for so long – a pure defender – has clearly brought improvements to Van Hecke’s game. He has been amongst the best centre-backs in the Premier League this season – on top of this, his contract is due to expire in 2027.