Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso has been appointed Chelsea manager, and he has been handed a squad that has underperformed this season.
Chelsea have failed to meet any of their objectives after missing out on Champions League qualification and not winning any of the cup competitions they were in.
There will now be a lot of work for the club and Alonso to do in the summer.
It’s going to be a big summer for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea!
Xabi Alonso graphic
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Chelsea figures accept defence needs more leadership and experience
To improve their faltering squad, Chelsea could bring in a new central defender in the upcoming transfer window.
According to TEAMtalk, there is growing recognition internally at Chelsea that the team’s defence could do with some more leadership and experience.
The Blues have not replaced Thiago Silva, so the above is something that they could look to address in the transfer market.
Silva is in his 40s now and is a former Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil captain. He brought both leadership and experience to the Chelsea squad, but that did not prevent the club from allowing him to leave on a free transfer in 2024.
It is a decision that has come back to bite the Blues, who have not defended well during the second half of the campaign. Since January, they have kept just one clean sheet in the Premier League.
In terms of central defenders Chelsea could bring in, Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba is one name being considered at Stamford Bridge.
Central defenders who could add more leadership and experience to Chelsea’s backline
There are a few good attainable options out there right now, including Manchester City’s John Stones.
On a free transfer, he has to be considered!
John Stones graphic
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Stones would tick a lot of boxes for Chelsea. He is 31 now and has made almost 300 appearances for City.
His teammate Nathan Ake is another name worth considering, while Chelsea fans would love to see Antonio Rudiger return to the club.
Both Stones and Rudiger are out of contract this summer, so Chelsea would not even have to pay a penny for either defender.
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