An insight into the shortlist of defensive targets understood to have been drawn up by the transfer team at Premier League giants Chelsea has been provided on Sunday.
Reinforcements at the heart of the club’s backline have of course emerged as something of a priority at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
This comes with the Blues having been forced to bid farewell to not one, but two members of Thomas Tuchel’s defensive core.
After Andreas Christensen opted to take his talents to Spain, to link up with Barcelona on a free transfer, Antonio Rudiger quickly followed suit, joining forces with Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions League holders Real Madrid.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Antonio Rudiger applauds the fans after The FA Cup Semi-Final match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on April 17, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
The widespread assumption, in turn, is that the Chelsea hierarchy will go on to seek out replacements for both stoppers, giving rise to a major reshuffle in Tuchel’s ranks with an eye to next season.
First on the agenda for the Pensioners comes Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, widely expected to take his talents to west London over the weeks ahead.
And now, as alluded to above, an insight has been provided into some of the other targets in the sights of Marina Granovskaia and co.
As per The Guardian, joining Kounde on Chelsea’s defensive shortlist this summer are all of Josko Gvardiol, José María Giménez, Matthijs de Ligt and Pau Torres.
It now remains to be seen whether deals for any of this quintet can be swung by the powers that be at Stamford Bridge, to provide Thomas Tuchel with the kind of defensive platform needed to reestablish the Pensioners back amongst the contenders for Premier League supremacy.
#Chelsea hope to tie up a deal for Jules Koundé soon and have targeted Josko Gvardiol, José María Giménez, Matthijs de Ligt and Pau Torres to reinforce their defence.
— ⭐️ Chels HQ ⭐️ (@Chels_HQ) June 19, 2022
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