Chelsea have reportedly taken specific stances over the futures of Trevoh Chalobah and Josh Acheampong.
Enzo Maresca's central-defensive options appeared settled upon returning to pre-season earlier this week, but an injury to Levi Colwill has thrown plans into disarray.
As a result of Maresca's first-choice left-sided centre-back being ruled out for the majority of the campaign with a serious knee injury, the Italian has hinted that he would like Chelsea to re-enter the market.
That is despite Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Josh Acheampong, Aaron Anselmino and Jorrel Hato all being options for that area of the pitch.
There are players such as Fofana and Adarabioyo who are deemed not for sale, but there have been question marks over the likes of Chalobah and Acheampong if Chelsea did sign another defender.
Chelsea's Josh Acheampong on June 24, 2025
How will Chelsea handle Chalobah, Acheamong?
According to BBC Sport, Chalobah is the only centre-back that Chelsea are prepared to sell for the right price before the end of the summer transfer window.
That is largely down to the profit that would be generated for the sale of a homegrown talent, but Chalobah is not actively interested in a departure after emerging as a key player since January.
Chalobah was also named in the starting lineup for Sunday's friendly against AC Milan, emphasising that he remains highly-regarded by Maresca.
As for Acheampong, Chelsea are allegedly reluctant to sign a new centre-back courtesy of risking unsettling the 19-year-old.
Acheampong was promised a pathway into the first team when signing a new contract last year, and he is viewed as someone who can play across the backline.
More specifically, Chelsea are said to value Acheampong as a future central defender and are likely to reject any loan proposals for the prospect.
Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile in June 2025.
Chelsea low on options in the short term?
The situation is complicated by Benoit Badiashile not being due back until September on the back of an injury sustained at the Club World Cup.
Fofana has also not played since March and was not deemed fit enough to feature in either pre-season game against Bayer Leverkusen and Milan.
Meanwhile the likelihood remains that Anselmino will go out on loan to a European club before September 1.
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