According to the report, Chelsea is currently identifying “exceptional” defenders as their summer targets after giving an internal talk.
Blues are scheduled to sign two defenders this summer
Everything is still playing for the Blues as the Premier League season is approaching conclusion. The final day trip to Nottingham Forest became important in the top five races, given Nuno’s side, Aston Villa and Manchester City are blowing their heads off.
Except for a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United, Enzo Maresca’s side worked well during the practice. The manager is pleased with the progress Levi Colwill has made, despite acknowledging that he needs to bring in more experienced players than he has this summer.
As Jurgen Klopp did with signing Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson to Liverpool, when asked about his prospects of adding experience to his team this summer, Maresca said. “It’s true, if you want to close the gaps with these types of clubs, you have to do things.”
So, before summer, various centre-back targets have been identified, and it is clear that managers are trying to blend the experience with the youth.
According to a TeamTalk report, Chelsea has also stepped up Ajax’s Jorrel Hato pursuit, with the defender being seen as a priority target following internal debate over summer transfer plans.
Hato’s move doesn’t break the bank, as he feels that the £37.8 million to £42 million fees could be enough to get the deal done, and he’s now rapidly raising the Blues’s list of potential.
Liverpool, AC Milan, Arsenal and others can offer a 19-year-old signature competition, but the West Londoners want to move quickly to keep them on the lead.
The pigeon may be the “exceptional” signature of Bruce
The report says Chelsea are considering bringing in two centre-backs this summer, and given the level of AJAX’s performance since breaking into the team at a young age, it’s no wonder that youth is one of their favourite options.
Football scout Ben Matinson has been particularly impressed with teenagers in the past, mentioning X. “The pigeon is an extraordinary athlete of his age, yet an engineer who can carry it through the line.”
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Chelsea is about to sign a “composed” defender that Maresca thinks is “perfect”
Bruce places their eyesight at the centreback as it is believed that Enzo Maresca is a keen admirer.
Not only that, the Rotterdam-born defender is a guaranteed passerby for the ball, ranked in the top 1% in pass completion rate per 90 over the past year, making him a good fit for Maresca.
Certainly, pigeons can play left-back and were featured mainly there in the 2024-25 campaign, but he has also been featured at centre-back throughout his career, and his versatility is an additional bonus for the Blues.
