Chelsea rekindle interest in signing 21-year-old centre-back

Chelsea have renewed interest in signing Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig

Josko Gvardiol has been in the sights of many elite European teams since the FIFA World Cup 2022 as a result of his performance there, and Chelsea are rumoured to have sparked their interest in purchasing the defender.

Also, Chelsea are willing to make an approach for the youngster, according to The Times [Subscription Required) (via ESPN]. The 21-year-old is now the most sought-after defender in Europe after playing a significant role in Croatia’s 2022 World Cup run to the semifinals.

As they continue to look for Thiago Silva’s eventual replacement, the Stamford Bridge administration is reportedly planning to further enhance their team in the summer after spending more than €600 million in the winter transfer windows.

Following strong showings in the Bundesliga and at the 2022 World Cup, Gvardiol, 21, has caught the attention of several clubs around Europe. The Blues had already considered a deal for him last summer and are now thinking about resuming talks.

The Croatian international’s €100 million release clause is slated to go into effect in 2024, but Chelsea are hoping to find a way to sign him up now for much less money.

This campaign, he has registered 22 appearances for RB Leipzig in all competitions, and it is also said that Liverpool and Manchester City are paying close attention to him.

Gvardiol would be a great addition as we search for a solution for Silva, who is nearing the end of his playing career. But the depth in the back is sufficient now.

Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Trevoh Chalobah are just a few examples of the backup players we have; and we should give them a chance to show what they can accomplish at Chelsea.

Gvardiol, nevertheless, would be a world-class addition to Chelsea given his age, talent, and ceiling. He would surely be an upgrade on Chalobah and Koulibaly on current form while Cesar Azpiliceuta’s days in SW6 would be numbered.

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He won’t be cheap but as we have learned, quality can cost a pretty penny. Gvardiol would also find a pedestal at Chelsea to showcase his abilities to a bigger audience. It won’t be wrong to say that this would be the next step up in his career.