The English Premier League giants Chelsea have spent nearly a billion on squad reinforcements since the ownership takeover by the American consortium led by Todd Bohley last year in 2022. Unfortunately, the Blues are struggling to make any significant impact under Mauricio Pochettino.
Nevertheless, their recent exhilarating 4-1 triumph over in-form Tottenham Hotspur on Monday has surely given the Blues a ray of hope this season. Amid this success, Chelsea is also setting their sights on a French defender as a potential replacement for Thiago Silva.
Chelsea set sights on United target
Chelsea are looking to bolster their backline as their veteran Brazilian center-back Thiago Silva is all set to leave following the expiry of his contract next summer in 2024. The 39-year-old center-back moved to the Premier League from the French outfit Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.
Silva has been a formidable figure in Chelsea’s defense since his arrival. This season, the defender has started all the Premier League games under their Argentine boss, Pochettino. As his term at Stamford Bridge nears its conclusion, Chelsea has identified Jean-Clair Todibo as a possible replacement. The former AC Milan center-back has made 128 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions.
Jean-Clair Todibo is already on the target list of various Premier League clubs, primarily Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle United. Not only are fellow English clubs interested, but Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, Leverkusen, and Dortmund are also interested in the 23-year-old defender.
Chelsea will face stiff competition from Manchester United, who are eager to solidify their defense as well. Todibo is currently under contract with his Ligue 1 club, OGC Nice, until 2027. Although the club has agreed to allow the player to move next summer upon receiving the right offer, the French international is a key player at Nice, having made 113 appearances for the French side.
Exploring Chelsea’s defensive depth
Chelsea captain and right-back Reece James has returned after missing seven Premier League games due to an injury sustained in the season opener against Liverpool. Left-back Levi Colwill has been a regular starter in all their league fixtures this season. The only area of concern for the Blues is their center-backs, as Thiago Silva is set to leave next season.
The remaining options Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah, have been sidelined due to injury since the beginning of the season. Benoît Badiashile and Axel Disasi are the only two players who can play in the center of defense. Overall, the Chelsea defense has conceded 9 goals in the Premier League this season.
