Chelsea have had well-publicised issues in defence since the end of last season, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both leaving on free transfers, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Marco Alonso are also hoping to force an exit. A number of players have been linked as potential replacements, but so far only Kalidou Koulibaly has arrived at Stamford Bridge.
From. Matthijs de Ligt through to Jules Kounde, the Blues have been linked with a host of names throughout this summer's transfer window as manager Thomas Tuchel's 'urgent appeal' for signings is a cause for concern with the Premier League season opener just around the corner.
"There is no update, no update," Tuchel last said on the transfer front in his post-match Arsenal press conference. "The analysing of the season does not change because of this game. Unfortunately, it proved my point and the last week proves my point. I would prefer to not be right and I did everything to prove myself wrong, but at the moment I feel I was right when I look at the last season and at the parts of the game where we struggled and how we struggled.
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"We got sanctioned and players left us, we know that some players are trying to leave us, and this is where it is. We had an urgent appeal for quality players and a huge amount of quality players. We've got two quality players – that is no doubt – but we are not competitive like this and unfortunately, we could see it today."
De Ligt and Kounde will likely be moving to Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively, meaning new owner Todd Boehly has had to change plans and identity the next potential summer recruits who will join Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling in this new Chelsea project.
Milan Skriniar and Denzel Dumfries are two Inter Milan defenders that have been strongly linked to Chelsea in recent days with the latter of the pair more likely to move if a suitable price can be negotiated. Skriniar's ambition is said to be either staying put in Serie A or sealing a dream move to Paris Saint-Germain after another recent meeting was held between the Parisians and Inter.
Skriniar to Chelsea has been described as 'not easy', with it understood that the Blues are reluctant to meet the £64million asking price that has been set. Alternatively, Wesley Fofana is being eyed but Leicester view the Frenchman as indispensable, meaning that Boehly would have to perform mission impossible. football.london understands that the American opened talks with the 21-year-old's representatives on Wednesday this week.
If worst comes to worse, there are other centre-half options out there and a certain La Liga star could be next on the agenda. Pau Torres starred for Unai Emery's Villarreal in 2021/22, playing a big part in the run to the Champions League semi-finals where they eventually fell to Liverpool. Man City and Juventus have already shown interest in the 25-year-old (and previously Man United and Tottenham) but Give Me Sport state the Blues could make their move if their latest two moves for Skriniar and Fofana come to no avail.
Journalist Dean Jones told the site: "Pau Torres is still one that will probably emerge as a name. The fact that he’s still sitting there available is really interesting and we know for a fact that he’s been on Chelsea’s radar, so they could go address that again."
Chelsea fans- From what you have seen of Pau Torres in the Champions League, would he be a good signing? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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