Reports have shown that Chelsea will make a bid on Roma’s Mehdi Benatia who could take turns with Zouma in replacing either Terry or Cahill. Even though the 27 year old defender was linked to Manchester United who after missing out on Vermaelen have redirected their attention towards the Morocco international, Benatia can still make it to Stamford Bridge. According to the Daily Express, Mourinho denied any interest in Roma’s defender despite the team’s visible need to sign at least one more center-back. Signing Kurt Zouma was not enough as the young Frenchman struggled during the off-season games. It is clear that the 19 year old has little experience and cannot be a long term solution just yet, in case something were to happen to one of Mourinho’s main defenders.

If the Blues will try signing Benatia they will have to deal with Manchester as their main adversary. Van Gaal has failed to bring in any viable replacements for Ferdinand and Vidic who both left the club at the end of last season. Roma’s defender is apparently free to go despite denying his wish to leave Italy. Apparently he expected a pay raise which never came. Rumors have it that when completing his move to Roma, the club agreed to let him leave in case they were not able to increase his salary after one year. Chelsea could easily top the salary the Romans give Benatia considering the fact that he is currently earning around £1 million per year.