Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images
Trevoh Chalobah has finally completed a move to Como, with Chelsea set to receive around £31m for the England defender. But he is the first of many central defenders that will be sold.
Xabi Alonso made his stance clear when asked about the plethora of options Chelsea have in defence. He said that he only wants four or five centre-backs available to him, going into the 2026-27 campaign.
After the signing of Maxence Lacroix and the sale of Chalobah, Chelsea have 10. Levi Colwill and Lacroix will start, while Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Mamadou Sarr are back-up.
Aaron Anselmino is injured again, and Benoit Badiashile is set to leave in due course. Axel Disasi will join Badiashile in leaving, while Jorrel Hato is better in the middle. Chelsea need to sell more defenders.
Badiashile and Disasi are likely to be the first two out the door, but Chelsea fans are hoping Tosin follows them. News that Marco Silva is now considering a move to lure Tosin to Benfica has been welcomed.
Tosin to Benfica: A move that suits all parties involved
There were suggestions earlier this summer that Alonso was keen to keep Tosin at Stamford Bridge. The former Fulham and Man City defender is seen as one of the elder statesmen in the dressing room.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup
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That leadership is key, but Chelsea have since signed Lacroix, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck. The need to keep Tosin has reduced, especially after another dismal showing against Johor Darul Ta’zim.
The Chelsea Chronicle handed Tosin a 3/10 rating. Tosin needs a fresh start; Chelsea ultimately need to sell defenders, and Benfica need to replace Antonio Silva. It would see Tosin reunite with manager Silva.
The only person it doesn’t suit is Cole Palmer
Morgan Rogers is set to link up with his new teammates this week, having enjoyed a long rest after the World Cup. It sees Palmer’s best pal arrive at Chelsea, the duo reuniting after their Man City days.
Palmer is delighted with Rogers’ arrival, but he won’t want to lose his other best mate, Tosin. Palmer has been open about his friendship with Tosin, and a priority for Alonso is getting the best out of Palmer.
Tosin’s move to Benfica suits Chelsea, Tosin, Alonso, Benfica and Benfica boss Silva. But the one person it doesn’t suit is perhaps the player Alonso really cannot afford to annoy; Chelsea’s most important player.
Tosin has a contract at Chelsea until the summer of 2028, more evidence that the Blues should consider a sale. Aside from Henderson and Welbeck, Tosin has the least amount of time left on his Chelsea contract.