Chelsea: Defense requires a total overhaul in the transfer window

Chelsea’s defense needs a complete overhaul with at three or four new defenders essential in the summer transfer window.

Chelsea suffered an excruciatingly embarrassing, painful-to-watch drubbing at the feet of Sheffield United. This trouncing signals what’s been apparent for some time, Chelsea’s defense is dreadful and needs a major—if not total—overhaul in the summer transfer window.

The required change at left back has been widely circulated, but it’s not all that’s necessary. The incapability in defense is systemic. Three or four new players are mandatory if Chelsea is to dramatically upgrade its lackluster, stone-footed defense and advance in the Premier League table in 2020/21. The overhaul needs to begin immediately.

Chelsea has a clear and present need to add a left back to the team. No one has taken hold of that position under Frank Lampard. The gaffer’s stop-gap solution, Cesar Azpilicueta, is no longer a starting-caliber left back. He is also marginal as a right as he possesses little offensive ability. Yet, at least he can defend there. The heir-apparent to the right back spot, Reece James, has been increasingly unmasked as a defensive liability. He’s not showing much at all and his crossing excellence cannot make-up for his defensive deficiencies.

In addition, the centerback position has also been lackluster. Kurt Zouma, his great tackle against Christian Benteke in the Palace match notwithstanding, is often statuesque; failing to clear rebounds when a first save has been made. Zouma has been inconsistent in the backline and looked anchored in cement on Sheffield’s first goal. Neither Andreas Christensen nor Zouma really has the steel to be an intimidating presence in the central defense for Chelsea. There is no John Terry to bully the opposition—not one.

The imperative for Chelsea is to move quickly and decisively in the transfer window to upgrade all over the backline. It’s not an option, it’s a necessary action. The current defense is not a top tier-level grouping. Failure to revamp this group completely in the summer will consign Chelsea to the second tier of Premier League clubs in the table. This fact remains even after the world-class upgrades already achieved in the attack. Against better teams, this defense has been reduced to mush. Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United are all far superior in defense.

What’s needed first is a top-class left back. Ben Chilwell is seemingly their choice, but woefully over-priced. It may be advisable for Chelsea to move on to acquire a talented left back for about half the rumored price of Chilwell. Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax or Alex Telles of Porto would be solid choices for far less of an investment; either move should be made quickly. In addition, attention has to be paid to right back. The ill-advised January sale of Tariq Lamptey is coming back to haunt Chelsea as James is failing to impress when he is given the starting opportunity.

The next goal has to be the infusion of one or two tall, strong, tough central defenders. Niklas Sule from Bayern would be the ultimate signing. He has all of the above, but would be cost-prohibitive, even if he were available. It’s worth an inquiry, nonetheless.

Lesser alternatives could still be assets to Chelsea. The Blues need steel in central defense and a move for Jan Vertonghen who is out-of-contract at Spurs is a solid option for the short-term. He’s better than any current Chelsea central defender and would add grit to the backline. He’d be a nice move to shore up the weak backline quickly and cheaply on a Bosman. The top move for Chelsea, in this window would be Declan Rice. He may not be the tallest, but he has the toughness and technical ability to be Chelsea’s best central defender right out-of-the-gate. This is the preferred immediate move. Adding Rice coupled with the experienced (and no-transfer fee) Vertonghen improves the central defense significantly.

Such reinforcements are necessary if Chelsea is to mount a realistic challenge to the teams at the top of the table. All of the magnificent attacking additions will be for naught if they fail to do so.