Chelsea need to sell defenders before they can buy more
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard must sell his surplus defenders before bringing in defensive reinforcements.
The rearguard has been a constant source of problem all season. In fact, no other team in the Premier League top ten has conceded more goals than us.
With grandiose ambitions of challenging for the top, we will find it hard-pressed to do so without a stable backline.
The Blues have identified West Ham United star Declan Rice and Atletico Madrid ace Jose Gimenez as two prime candidates to strengthen our back four.
However, Chelsea will have to sell before they can buy. This could see the likes of Andreas Christensen or Kurt Zouma depart the Bridge this summer. Neither of the two has managed to hold down a starting position under Lampard and have been inconsistent.
With Rice costing £65m and Gimenez’s release clause set at a whopping £109m, Chelsea are not expected to sign both players.
It is not just Christensen and Zouma who are at a risk of being shipped out. Midfielder Jorginho too could make way, with the club ready to listen to offers for him.
The Italian was conspicuous for his absence post the restart. He did manage to end the season with a sustained run of matches. However, how much of it was down to the injuries sustained by N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Billy Gilmour is unclear.
Chelsea are also interested in bringing in a new left-back. Leicester City star Ben Chilwell is the club’s top target. Either Marcos Alonso or Emerson Palmieri will have to make way for the Foxes star.
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It appears to be a season of change at Stamford Bridge. Lampard will have a much better squad at his disposal if he gets the signings he wants. Having achieved much as a player, he will now seek to repeat it as a manager.