Whoever is appointed as Chelsea manager will arrive with plenty to do in the transfer market, and one priority is signing a leader at centre-back. Well, Trevoh Chalobah has just named the ideal signing.
Xabi Alonso looks likeliest to be Chelsea’s next permanent manager at this stage, and the sixth permanent manager during the BlueCo era aside from any interim spells. If appointed, he needs to sign a defender.
One of many problems on the pitch at the moment 🤦♂️
Chelsea's Wesley Fofana
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Levi Colwill returned to action against Liverpool on Saturday, and the away end enjoyed a collective sigh of relief. The England defender was impressive, a long-awaited solid defensive display at centre-back.
Chelsea fans have not enjoyed a good centre-back performance in months. But someone needs to go alongside Colwill, with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah failing to prove themselves during 2025-26.
Chelsea need to listen to Chalobah and re-sign Antonio Rudiger
When the new manager and the five sporting directors come together, they will surely agree that a defender is required. That defender needs to be a leader, one with experience who can lead the side.
Charlie Austin has named Antonio Rudiger as the perfect signing Chelsea can make this summer. Ray Parlour has urged Chelsea to re-sign Rudiger, who is out of contract at Real Madrid come next month.
Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid
Photo by Dennis Agyeman / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images
Rudiger knows Chelsea, he is experienced and without doubt, he is a leader. Now, Chalobah has just explained why Chelsea need Rudiger in an interview on the club’s website ahead of the FA Cup final.
Chalobah explains how Rudiger helped him, as a youngster, in Chelsea’s previous FA Cup final. The Blues defender said Rudiger was “amazing” with him as a young player, and that’s what Chelsea really need.
“Toni Rudiger was amazing with me. I became really close with him that season; he helped me a lot with training and being in and around the team,” he said. If BlueCo are listening, Rudiger is the ideal signing.
The one problem with Antonio Rudiger, Xabi Alonso noticed it
While Rudiger’s quality on the pitch, his leadership, and his experience are all big ticks that would really benefit Chelsea at the moment, there is a problem. Now 33, Rudiger is starting to pick up injuries.
DISCUSS: Chelsea need Rudiger more than they need Jacquet. 👀
It just makes sense…
Parlour says Rudiger should rejoin Chelsea
According to reports, Alonso did not want Real Madrid to extend Rudiger’s contract because he was frequently getting injured. It is arguably why they signed Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth last summer.
There is no doubt that re-signing Rudiger would be a risk in terms of his injuries. But his ability to lead a team, how he is with young players, as proven by Chalobah, and he is a free transfer, outweighs the risk.
If Alonso is appointed, he will know Rudiger is a risk. But Alonso will also be aware of Rudiger’s strengths, that he knows what it means to play for Chelsea. It makes sense, and Chalobah’s comments prove it.
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