Chelsea did not end up signing a centre-back in the summer transfer window. For many, that was a mistake and they will point towards their shaky defensive performances this season as evidence. The Blues have kept a few clean sheets here and there but overall, there does not seem to be a real solidity in that backline. Under pressure, they have always conceded and have actually been lucky a few times with VAR calls.
Enzo Maresca has been dealt the best cards, that is for sure. Chelsea's best centre-back went down injured and was not replaced.
Yet somehow, it looks like they were interested in signing a centre-back when Colwill was fit earlier in the summer. That does not make much sense but it appears to be true.
That player is none other than Dean Huijsen, who eventually ended up signing with Real Madrid. But his agent, Ali Barat, has confirmed that Chelsea were one of the clubs interested in the Spaniard. As reported by Football London, he said in an interview with AS:
"When they came along, it was an easy decision: there were many clubs, but with Real Madrid, there was no doubt.
"Chelsea wanted him, even since January.
"They were the first big club really interested."
£50m Real Madrid player's agent confirms Chelsea interest
It is not hard to believe that Chelsea would have wanted to sign Huijsen. He fits the exact profile of player that they have invested in under this new ownership.
That being said, he would have been very similar to Colwill. So, was the plan to play them together in the same starting XI or compete for the left centre-back spot? Guess we will never know.
This just goes on to show though that Chelsea have their fixed targets that they want to sign but they are not a club that is willing to adjust to situations, like Colwill suffering a potentially season-ending injury. Of course, many will feel that that is an understandable approach, sticking to the long-term plan instead of looking to solve short-term issues.
But nothing in football exists in a vacuum. What if Chelsea end up having a poor season due to their refusal to sign a centre-back, miss out on Champions League football and then key players like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and others start pushing for exits? Big clubs need to find solutions to problems, not sweep them under the carpet.