Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph reported today that Chelsea are interested in signing a central defender this summer.
That shouldn’t surprise anyone, although it’s interesting to have the confirmation. The second year of Thiago Silva’s contract will be activated, keeping the impressive veteran at the club until the summer of 2022.
Kurt Zouma, who has looked excellent alongside the Brazilian this season, will also stay.
The other options at centre-back – Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori all seem to have far less certain futures. None have really convinced Frank Lampard over the course of two years, and they didn’t fare much better under Maurizio Sarri or Antonio Conte.
It seems like their time is up, and Chelsea will look to cash in on them as they seek an experienced, top tier player in that position. That will give them an option to rely on once Silva’s legs go.
Given the investment in other areas of the pitch in the last year, it should be no surprise to anyone that central defence has come next. That, along with signing Declan Rice to play in central midfield, look to be the areas of the club’s focus in the summer transfer window.