Chelsea have a defensive disaster brewing amid fresh interest in one of their regulars. The Blues are in the midst of an interesting summer as Xabi Alonso looks to transform this team into one capable of fighting for at least a top four spot.
Improvement is needed throughout the squad, but so far, we have seen little evidence that the Chelsea squad is going to be of a much better standard next season. Marcu Cucurella has already departed, leaving a big hole at left-back, and now another defender is being linked with an exit.
Chelsea have a defensive issue brewing
Chelsea already have to replace Cucurella, which will be a tricky job, and they could now lose a player on the other side in Malo Gusto. Gusto has been a reliable alternative to Reece James, and he has regularly been the starter when James has spent time aplenty out with injury.
According to reports, Manchester City are now in talks with Gusto over a possible deal, and that will be of concern for Chelsea. Should Gusto leave, the Blues will need to find a left-back, right-back and a centre-back this summer.
The Blues were sorely lacking in top-level depth at centre-back last season, an issue that led Enzo Maresca to fall out with the club. The signing of Jorrel Hato has helped, but there is every chance Chelsea will sign another centre-back this summer.
If Alonso and co also have to find a Gusto replacement on top of the hole left by Cucurella, there will be real concern over Chelsea ticking off all of those new signings before the start of the new season.
And Chelsea's transfer strategy itself has come under criticism aplenty, with young players often signed in place of experienced and ready players. The concern will be that Chelsea replace the two full-backs with less experienced options, taking the squad back a step.
Alonso will likely have sought assurances from this board that more experienced players will be signed, but we are yet to see evidence of it. Chelsea have an ideal right-back option in Gusto. He is a Premier League-ready player who competes well with James, given he is at a similar level.
That's going to be hard to replace this summer, particularly as any senior incoming player is going to want to have assurances over playing time - assurances that Alonso will be unable to give due to James having the starter spot.
To sell Gusto now, and to a Premier League rival, would be Chelsea putting themselves in a troubling spot.
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