Chelsea are hoping to secure one of their main defensive targets before the end of this week, with both Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake front and centre in negotiations.
Whilst Ake is a left-sided player, one who would be more natural fill the role left by Antonio Rudiger in Thomas Tuchel's back three, De Ligt is probably better classified as a long-term successor to Thiago Silva, even though the 37-year-old continues to perform at a high level.
Having a plan beyond Silva is smart, and De Ligt, with his ability to play in the centre of a back-three, who operates as a more retracted defensive presence than the aggressive Rudiger, who was proactive from a wide area, could be a motivating factor behind this deal.
