Chelsea Football Club needs a complete back line reconstruction if it is to compete with the best in the England and in Europe in next season.
Chelsea is looking to compete with the best in 2020/21 and beyond. The needs in defense are substantial. It needs to be a complete reconstruction, not just a remodeling, renovation, or redesign. This is going to take the infusion of three or four new players to help make the total Frank Lampard project a reality. The weaknesses of the back line were completely exposed in 2019/20. They were just not up to the title and cup winning standards. Here’s what could be done.
The obvious weakness at left back has been well vetted in the media since early on in the previous season. Emerson has fallen out of favor completely. Marcos Alonso has become more of a wing back specialist. Chelsea needs the infusion of a starting caliber left back. That’s no revelation.
Yet, reinforcing this position should not bankrupt the team’s overall rebuilding effort The most often named possibility is Ben Chilwell. Yet, Leicester City’s intransigence in seeking to work a deal for the possibly want away player should be a non starter for Chelsea.
If the price for the player is anywhere near the £60-80 million amount that is being thrown around, it’s time to move on. Chelsea should move fast and move now in another direction. Left back is a clear and present need and Chelsea should be able to land an upgraded starter for a reasonable price to slot in as Frank Lampard’s number one in 2020/21. A number of names of solid potential additions have been floated: Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax, Marc Cucurella of Getafe, Alex Telles of Porto, and most recently, Sergio Reguilon on loan from Real Madrid to Sevilla.
Any of these makes sense. Any of them would come at a much more reasonable price than Chilwell. Chelsea should lock one up, and soon. Alonso can still be a useful backup left back and also serve as a wing back in a 3-4-3. So it’s not unreasonable for him to remain essentially as a squad player unless a very good offer for his services is tabled. Emerson is a candidate to be sold.
Right back is the strongest position on the back line currently for Chelsea. Next season’s starter should be Reece James. The young player needs time to perfect his defensive skills but his crossing ability and ability to drive the ball forward on the right side will be well used next season. He can team with Hakim Ziyech, the likely forward on his side, and wreak havoc in attack.
Backing up James next season should be Cesar Azpilicueta. He’s a versatile player who should now serve as a backup who can play at either fullback position for defensive purposes, or even as a central defender in a pinch.
Lastly, the central defense is an area in need of a significant infusion of steel, height, and talent. The current players there are all decent players but most really lack any single outstanding characteristic, excepting Kurt Zouma’s ability in the air. Zouma is an ace in heading balls (except in the attacking zone). Another keeper is Antonio Rudiger who can function next season as a valuable squad player. Rudiger also adds a unique liaison ability to his German National Team colleagues, a very valuable asset to the Chelsea Football Club, indeed.
Zouma may possibly maintain a starting position next season alongside a new addition, depending on how the club approaches the position in the window. This new central defender needs to be a tall, strong, no nonsense type defender and good in the air on offense, as well, if possible. But his main role will be to maintain order in front of the goal a la John Terry. Who this might be is another question.
One name who makes perfect sense as a central defender and/or a defensive midfielder is Declan Rice of West Ham. Rice is a nearly perfect defensive acquisition and is worth a major investment in transfer funds for all he can bring to the table. This one just needs to be done.
Word in media outlets is that head coach Frank Lampard looks to the young former Chelsea Academy product as a possible central defender. While Rice is only about 6’1″, he indeed exudes the essential toughness and leadership ability to lead the Chelsea defense for years to come, as he is only 21 years old. He’s captain material. In addition, assuming N’Golo Kante stays with the club, Rice is a ready made backup as a defensive midfielder. He can step right in and fill the void when/if Kante is out of the lineup. Rice’s talent and versatility are key. Spend the money on him.
In addition to Rice, Chelsea needs to add an anchor. This needs to be a tall, strong, and capable central defender who will be their new enforcer. This is a tough commodity to come by. A perfect addition would be Nicklas Sule from Bayern Munich. His transfer market value may be $52.8 million or so. If you can land him for anywhere near that, it’s grand theft larceny. Just do it. But Sule’s likely not going anywhere (unless his German National teammates, Timo Werner, Antonio Rudiger, and hopefully Kai Havertz can persuade him to make the switch and join the Chelsea revolution).
Another name who may somewhat fit the bill could be Lewis Dunk from Brighton. Dunk stands about 6’3″ tall and has been linked to Chelsea in the past. A downside is that he’ll turn 29 in November. Among those on the way out may be Andreas Christensen. He may just not be good enough for Chelsea’s future team. And Fikayo Tomori may need a year or two of seasoning on loan in the Premier League to hone his skills, as well.
That’s the situation for Chelsea in defense. Changes are necessary. Several additions and deletions are absolutely essential. It will be seen in a couple of months if the team is willing to make the necessary moves and spend the necessary funds to strengthen the defense enough to compete with the best. They are a long way from that position at present. But they can improve with a few well placed strategic acquisitions.
Hopefully, they will make those investments in this transfer window. There is no time like the present. Next up, goalkeeper, and a surprise suggestion of an under the radar keeper who perhaps may just fit the bill for Chelsea Football Club.