Chelsea keeping tabs on centre-back duo as first-team star nears summer exit

Chelsea eye Leicester star Wesley Fofana and Sevilla ace Jules Kounde to replace Antonio Rudiger

According to Goal (h/t ESPN), Chelsea shortlisted the centre-back duo of Leicester City superstar Wesley Fofana and Sevilla defender Jules Kounde to replace Antonio Rudiger. They are looking at options to safeguard against the potential departure of their key man at the end of the season.

Rudiger has a contract with the Blues until the end of the 2021-22 season, after which he will become a free agent. He could also legally reach a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in the January transfer window as the current deal expires next summer.

Thomas Tuchel’s side identified the 20-year-old and Kounde as options who could fill the gap if the German defender leaves the club. An ideal replacement is necessary for the 28-year-old who is looking increasingly likely to depart on a free transfer.

Bittersweet

If things do come down to us needing to find a replacement, the targeted duo are quality options that would give us a long term solution to the issue. It is in some ways an upgrade over Rudiger, who is entering the latter stages of his career.

However, the 28-year-old has already proven himself and is accustomed to the system used by Tuchel. Even if we bring in talented superstars, there is no guarantee that they would instantly adapt to their new clubs. Maybe they will, maybe not, but we can never say for sure.

That is even more concerning when you look at the fact that Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva are 32 and 37, respectively. Not to mention both players are also in the final years of their contracts.

More Chelsea News

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• Cesar Azpilicueta appears set to leave Chelsea for free next summer
• Thomas Tuchel reveals Reece James will play as a wing-back for Chelsea against Leeds United despite mid-week changes

Both Fofana and the 23-year-old Kounde could prove to be a necessity regardless of Rudiger’s future at the club. That is because Andreas Christensen, Silva and Azpilicueta are also in the last year of their contracts, adding to our current plight. Marina Granovskaia has a challenging task on her hand to solve our potential centre-backs crisis next summer.