Chelsea want new defender in January

Chelsea are ready to enter the market to sign a new central defender in January.

It follows a glut of injuries to Enzo Maresca’s first choice defenders in the early part of the season and a realisation that he does not have the strength in depth to the position that he would like.

In fact, the Italian was keen to reinforce in that position towards the end of the summer, and the club did look at Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, whilst Nottingham Forest’s Murillo was another name under consideration.

Both remain possible targets although neither will be easy to get. Hansi Flick wanted to keep the Uruguayan captain, who has shown signs of returning to his best form after an injury-hit campaign  last season.

And it may take big money to persuade Forest to part with one of their best players.

Marc Guèhi, though, is one name who will not be returning to Stamford Bridge, despite the fact that he will be available on a free next summer. And there appears no desire either to recall Axel Disasi from the “bomb squad”.

Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.