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.
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Tuchel's defensive structure has relied upon a back-three, only briefly veering away from the 3-4-2-1 throughout points of last season, eased by Cesar Azpilicueta, who could easily shift from a traditional full-back into the right-sided centre-back he usually played.
But with suggestions, Tuchel is looking to buy players this summer to ease the gradual transition to a new system more permanently, De Ligt's future (should he sign) might be more defined in a back-two alongside the young defenders who have come through Cobham like Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill.
De Ligt, at 22, still has years to grow, despite already becoming a prominent player for club and country, playing in highly pressurised environments and being the captain of Ajax at the age of 18, only two years after he made his debut for the Dutch giants.
Silva has become a highly valuable player at Stamford Bridge, instantly improving the defence under Frank Lampard and an equally integral part for Tuchel in the Champions League win. You could argue Silva was hard done by at the end of last season not to be voted the club's player of the season, beaten out by Mason Mount for the second year running.
His character, on-pitch leadership and guidance would likely be helpful to De Ligt whilst also playing under a coach who has proven at Chelsea he can improve defenders, see Andreas Christensen and Rudiger.
But there is the threat that, as with Raphinha, a European rival could be positioning themselves to hijack Todd Boehly's deal. Bayern Munich are trying to secure De Ligt, even though Chelsea still appear in pole position, likely to come back with a stronger offer for Juventus.
Boehly will have to move quickly should Tuchel feel De Ligt is his number one choice this summer, which in the long-term, provides the insurance policy for when the beloved Silva does move on.
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