The three centre-backs of interest to Chelsea ahead of summer window

Chelsea look to have created a shortlist of centre-backs they are interested in signing this summer.

This comes with the Blues set to lose two of their main defenders at the end of 2021/22.

Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen will be out of contract at the end of June and are both expected to make the switch to Spain.

Rudiger is looking likely to join Real Madrid who, after their recent display vs Manchester City, quite clearly need some fresh legs in defence. Christensen, meanwhile, will be joining Madrid’s bitter rivals, FC Barcelona.

This leaves Chelsea with the ageing duo of Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta plus the inexperienced pair of Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah to cover three positions.

Granted, Reece James can also play as a right-sided centre-back in a three, but that then greatly diminishes Chelsea’s attacking prowess from the right.

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Chelsea eyeing centre-backs

So, it does seem obvious that Chelsea will need a centre-back or two this summer.

And now, according to Nathan Gissing, Wesley Fofana, Jules Kounde and Max Kilman are all of interest to the Blues:

Wesley #Fofana is an option for Chelsea at centre-back. Man City, Man Utd are also interested. Real Madrid were last summer, Ancelotti is a fan. 🇫🇷

Jules #Kounde remains a key target for Chelsea.🇫🇷

Max #Kilman is a player #CFC have watched closely this season. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

— Nathan Gissing (@Nathan_Gissing) April 26, 2022

Both Fofana and Kilman have experience in the Premier League and both are accustomed to operating in a back-three.

Kounde, meanwhile, though lacking Premier League experience, is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in La Liga.

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