Chelsea holding talks for defensive star that would provide a huge boost

Chelsea holding talks for defensive star that would provide a huge boost

Chelsea stormed to Premier League glory this season but face a challenge to defend their crown next season and compete in their return to the Champions League.

The Blues are expected to complete an array of activity in the transfer market this summer, as Antonio Conte looks to significantly improve a squad that lacks depth in key areas- and the club also face the possibility of losing big names.

John Terry’s imminent departure from Stamford Bridge means that Chelsea are seeking defensive reinforcements to provide competition to the likes of David Luiz and Gary Cahill, whilst a central-defensive addition would allow Cesar Azpilicueta to compete for a wing-back role.

Despite the Blues boasting an ageing defence, it’s reported by Metro that Conte is keen to add Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci to his ranks this summer- and the Italian defender’s agent is said to have been in London last week for talks.

The 30-year-old defender has worked with Conte before and was a key part in Juventus’ impenetrable defence in the Champions League this season, before the Turin giants were demolished by Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid in the final at Cardiff last week.

Juventus have a strong bargaining position though as Bonucci’s contract ties him down to Massimiliano Allegri’s side until 2021- although Chelsea are prepared to pay as much as £48.6m to bring the experienced defender to the Premier League.

Chelsea may face competition in the market from Manchester City but the main concern for Chelsea is that Bonucci’s addition won’t decrease the average age in their squad- and their entire back three would be over 30.

The Blues still boast the talents of Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake, who could see an increase in first-team opportunities next season, but the expensive addition wouldn’t strengthen Chelsea’s ranks for the long-term and pursuing a younger defender would be advisable.

25-year-old Virgil Van Dijk would be the ideal alternative, as the highly-rated Dutch defender looks increasingly likely to leave Southampton this summer, and the fact that Liverpool have pulled-out of the race gives Chelsea a nice boost.

Crucially, Van Dijk could be the leading defender at Stamford Bridge for years to come and could eventually excel in a partnership alongside the aforementioned Zouma and Ake, with Azpilicueta, 27, maintaining a position out wide.

Chelsea have often been criticised for their reluctance to utilise young players and that’s certainly something that needs to be changed in the coming years- especially as no player under the age of 23 made more than five starts for Chelsea in the Premier League last season.