Centre-back is one area where Chelsea need to strengthen in the near future. Levi Colwill is out injured, potentially for the entire season. On the other hand, the squad is filled with a number of other injury-prone centre-backs. And while a few are expected to recover over the international break, they ended the game against Liverpool with Reece James and Jorrel Hato as the central defensive pair. Both are primary full-backs. That is how bad the depth issues have gotten.
Plenty of centre-backs have been linked with in recent times. Marc Guehi is one of them, and someone of his quality and experience could be a brilliant addition to this team. But it looks like the Blues are intent on sticking to their policy of signing youngsters.
As reported by The Chelsea Chronicle, the Blues were amongst a number of clubs in Belgium to watch Club Brugge’s win against Union SG on Sunday. They were checking on Joel Ordonez.
Ordonez has been linked with a move to Chelsea in the past as well. And while there have been conflicting reports in the media, it looks like the Blues might be open to the idea of adding another centre-back to their ranks in the winter. Graeme Bailey said:
"Chelsea are now looking seriously at bringing in another centre-half, their options are being stretched and they are now doing work on potential options including Ordonez – who they have liked for a long time."
Chelsea scouting £40m centre-back for January move
Ordonez is a full Ecuadorian international. Chelsea were being linked with his teammate, Piero Hincapie, before he made his move to Arsenal in the summer, and it never felt like the Blues made a push to be very honest.
Chelsea might be building an Ecuadorian core in the team. Of course, Moises Caicedo is one of their most important players. There are high hopes surrounding Kendry Paez as well, who has gone out on loan to Strasbourg in his first season of European football and has already established himself as a consistent contributor for the French side, sitting at third in Ligue 1.
Let's see what the future holds for Ordonez. Other clubs have been linked with him as well and while Club Brugge are not believed to be keen on parting ways, they might be open to the right offer, if it comes in in the January transfer window.