Chelsea's summer transfer window continues to twist and turn as more defenders are linked following the failed bid to bring Jules Kounde to Stamford Bridge.
At one point last week, Kounde looked set to move to the Premier League after the Blues had agreed to a verbal £55million deal for the Sevilla star plus personal terms which were agreed a while ago. However, the 23-year-old's heart was set on Barcelona after another influential call with manager Xavi, and this has culminated in the Blaugrana now set to heap more transfer misery on Chelsea this summer following the Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha sagas.
With this in mind, new owner Todd Boehly is being forced to look elsewhere and a host of names have popped up including the likes of Presnel Kimpembe, Pau Torres and Josko Gvardiol. But three names in particular are currently being linked to a Stamford Bridge: Wesley Fofana, Milan Skriniar and Denzel Dumfries.
READ MORE: Wesley Fofana's true transfer value revealed amid Chelsea talks as Leicester City's stance clear
With the exception of the Dutch full-back, negotiations with Leicester and Inter Milan respectively seem rather complicated with both standing firm on their star central defenders at this stage at the transfer window.
If - and it's a big if - at this stage, Chelsea were to complete a double swoop for either of Fofana and Dumfries or Skriniar and his Inter compatriot together, Boehly could be forced into shelling out anywhere between £96million - £104million. That would be a real statement of intent, especially the club have already backed manager Thomas Tuchel with £81.5million in the form of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
football.london, taking into account the very latest rumours, have looked into two ways Chelsea's new backline could look with the potential purchases of Fofana, Dumfries and maybe even Skriniar.
Back four
Unfortunately for Dumfries, in a back-four system, James would be the top pick on the right side of defence. Koulibaly would likely rotate with Thiago Silva throughout the season, with both defenders into their 30's.
Then either Fofana or Skriniar would be Koulibaly's partner with Ben Chilwell the automatic starter at left-back. With Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta hoping for Barcelona moves before the September deadline, they haven't been included.
Chelsea's back four: Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana/Milan Skriniar, Ben Chilwell.
Substitute options: Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Lewis Hall, Denzel Dumfries.
Back five
In a back five which Chelsea have used since the days of Antonio Conte's reign, Dumfries could slot in at right-wing-back and push James into the right-centre-back role.
Koulibaly and Silva would continue to rotate whilst either of Fofana or Skriniar would make up the final central defender in this back three/five system. Chilwell would play left-wing-back.
Substitute options: Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Lewis Hall.
Chelsea fans- What do you make of these concept lineups with Denzel Dumfries and Wesley Fofana signed? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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