Target list: Chelsea have seven names in mind to strengthen their core this January

Ousmane Diomande, Enzo Maresca and Antonio Silva (Photo by Gualter Fatia, Michael Regan, Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Chelsea reportedly have a long list of transfer targets in defense this January, with seven names on the centre-back’s mind.
According to Simon PhillipsBenfica’s Tomas Araujo and Antonio Silva, Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi, Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo.
Chelsea may even recall Trevoh Chalobah this January if they are unable to complete any other deals, according to the report, with the Blues keen to ensure they have enough depth at the back.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca currently has a few options in defense but Wesley Fofana is injured and doesn’t have the best fitness record overall, while the likes of Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are not up to expectations.
Tosin Adarabioyo joined CFC in the summer and did well when he got into the team, but it seems he hasn’t won Maresca’s trust as he hasn’t been regular.
What are Chelsea’s defensive targets?

Chelsea could do well to improve their depth and quality at centre-back, with Silva, Diomande and Huijsen all among the best young defenders in the game at the moment.
Enzo Maresca WORRIED about two Chelsea players!
Silva and Araujo have both impressed at Benfica And one imagines they are two players the club will struggle to keep hold of, having so often snuck up on their star names in the past, including, of course, Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea.
Guehi and Huijsen have the advantage of being proven in the Premier League, so they could be good options, but one imagines they might cost more to sign than rival English clubs.
Some Chelsea fans may also feel quite satisfied with the recall of Chalobah from his loan spell at Crystal Palace.
The 25-year-old has performed well at Selhurst Park this season and hasn’t done much wrong at Stamford Bridge either, having looked somewhat unfortunate to be offloaded in the summer.
2025-01-06 13:34:00