Chelsea centre-back clearout: Who stays, leaves and goes on loan
Chelsea have 10 senior centre-backs available to Xabi Alonso, but that number could be almost halved before the transfer window closes.
Maxence Lacroix’s £52million arrival from Crystal Palace has increased an already crowded defensive department. Alonso has made little attempt to hide the fact that departures are required, indicating that four or five centre-backs would be enough for a season without European football.
Reports after Lacroix’s arrival detailed Alonso’s desire to significantly reduce the group, leaving several established players with uncertain futures.
So who should Chelsea expect to keep, sell or loan?
Levi Colwill – KEEP
Colwill is the easiest decision.
Chelsea view the England international as a major part of their future and his importance became even clearer during his lengthy absence last season.
At 23, he possesses the passing range Alonso wants from the left side of defence and should enter the season expecting to start.
Maxence Lacroix – KEEP
Chelsea have not just spent £52million on Lacroix to add another body to an overcrowded position.
Reuters confirmed the France international signed a contract until 2032, and his pace makes him particularly suited to defending the space behind Alonso’s high defensive line.
A Colwill-Lacroix partnership looks like the obvious starting point.
Wesley Fofana – KEEP
Fofana has lost the certainty he once had over a starting place, but selling him now would leave Chelsea sacrificing useful depth.
His fitness remains the major concern. If he stays available, however, Fofana is capable of pushing Lacroix and Colwill for minutes.
Tosin Adarabioyo – KEEP
Tosin does not need to start every week to justify remaining.
His experience and influence around a young dressing room have value, particularly when Chelsea are trying to reduce the number of players rather than simply replace everyone.
The additions of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson have given Alonso more senior figures, but keeping one experienced centre-back as reliable cover still makes sense. ReadChelsea recently examined why Chelsea have deliberately added more experience to Alonso’s squad.
Jorrel Hato – KEEP
Hato’s versatility almost guarantees his place.
He can cover Colwill centrally but may spend significant time at left-back following Marc Cucurella’s departure. That ability to solve two positions makes him particularly valuable in a streamlined squad.
Badiashile and Disasi have reached the end of the road
Benoit Badiashile – SELL
This summer feels like the right time for both sides to move on.
Badiashile had a major opportunity while Colwill was injured but failed to establish himself as Chelsea’s long-term answer on the left.
Hato overtaking him only strengthens the argument for a permanent departure.
Axel Disasi – SELL
Disasi has been outside Chelsea’s long-term plans for some time.
His physical qualities should still attract interest, with Crystal Palace among the clubs linked this summer, but his profile does not appear ideally suited to Alonso’s possession-heavy approach.
Chelsea should take the opportunity to find him a permanent home.
Trevoh Chalobah – SELL
This is the harshest call.
Chalobah performed well last season, has home-grown value and can comfortably play Premier League football. However, Como have pushed hard to sign him and Chelsea can generate a significant fee for an academy graduate.
ReadChelsea have followed Como’s pursuit throughout the summer, and his expected departure would immediately reduce Alonso’s numbers.
Football logic alone might argue for keeping him. Chelsea’s squad situation makes the sale understandable.
Chelsea loans could protect three long-term prospects
Aaron Anselmino – LOAN
Anselmino still needs regular senior football more than another season competing for occasional Chelsea minutes.
Injuries have disrupted his development. A successful loan with consistent starts should now be the priority.
Mamadou Sarr – LOAN
Sarr remains highly rated but needs the freedom to make mistakes and develop.
Chelsea cannot realistically provide enough minutes while Colwill, Lacroix, Fofana and Tosin remain available.
A Premier League or Championship loan where he starts regularly would make far more sense.
Josh Acheampong – LOAN
Chelsea should resist any permanent approaches for Acheampong.
The academy graduate has already shown that he belongs at senior level, but Alonso cannot promise him a starting role every week.
A carefully chosen Premier League loan could do for Acheampong what temporary moves did for Colwill earlier in his career.
That would leave Alonso with Colwill, Lacroix, Fofana and Tosin as four natural senior centre-backs, while Hato provides an additional option when required.
For a manager who wants four or five rather than 10, that looks considerably closer to the squad Chelsea actually need.
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