Chelsea are sure to dip into the transfer market come the summer to bring in reinforcements to shore up a backline that is expected to witness a few departures.
One name in the first-team camp at the Bridge who is increasingly likely to call it quits is Thiago Silva with the veteran defender unable to sign upon extended terms with the Blues despite joining them only a summer ago.
His contributions in the Chelsea colours have been a bag of mixed fortunes but his recent stepping up following his return from injury has made Thomas Tuchel aware that he would need to acquire another big-name signing to fill the void should Silva decide to leave west London.
Here are 5 such centre-back’s that Chelsea could attempt to sign in the summer to bolster their defensive core-
1. Ibrahima Konate
The RB Leipzig first-team regular has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea’s foes Liverpool ahead of this summer amid reports of the Reds activating the Frenchman’s release clause but with official confirmation yet to be sounded out by either club, the Blues are very much in the race for the 21-year-old Konate.
His displays at the top level have often been curtailed due to persistent injury troubles but at a very tender age, Konate has established himself to be on the top talents in the Bundesliga and could prove to be a major recruitment for Tuchel’s Chelsea.
2. Raphael Varane
Another Frenchman on this list is the World Cup and Champions League-winning star central defender Raphael Varane who has been reported to be on the shopping list of quite a few Premier League heavyweights heading into this summer.
With Varane unlikely to extend his current deal with Real Madrid, the La Liga giants might be forced to offload their first-team star ahead of the 2021-22 campaign and the Blues would be in the reckoning to make a move for Varane to bring him to Stamford Bridge in a cut-price deal.
3. Niklas Sule
The Bayern Munich man is understood to be high on Tuchel’s priority list for the summer with the defender not having agreed to sign on improved terms with the German giants as his deal runs for only another year.
Chelsea now boast of a number of top talents from the Germany national pool and Sule’s arrival would be a vital addition to an impressive roster besides helping Tuchel reorganise his backline.
4. Jerome Boateng
Joining Sule on his list is his compatriot Jerome Boateng who is another contract rebel at Bayern Munich and would be available for a free transfer come this summer.
The much-experienced defensive name has courted interest from Arsenal as well but Chelsea’s requirement for reinforcements ahead of next season has alerted Tuchel to the possibility of signing another veteran face without having to shell out the big bucks.
5. Jose Gimenez
The Atletico Madrid man has often been linked with a move to Chelsea in the past and as his future in the Spanish capital city remains shrouded with uncertainty many believe that Gimenez would be a key target for Chelsea this summer.
Gimenez has ceased to become Atletico’s starting choice centre-back and having played just 20 times in the ongoing La Liga campaign he might seek an exit for regular first-team involvement leaving Chelsea quite the frontrunners to land his signature.
