Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is reportedly considering bolstering the club’s defense in the January transfer window. Despite a solid start to the season, Chelsea’s defensive performances have raised concerns. With a few defensive lapses costing them points, Maresca aims to strengthen the backline by adding depth and reliability.
Two primary targets for Chelsea are SL Benfica’s Tomas Araujo and Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi. Araujo, a promising Portuguese defender, has gained notable experience in Portugal’s top league, though his high release clause (€100 million) could be an obstacle. Zabarnyi, a standout for Bournemouth, is seen as a more cost-effective alternative with solid Premier League experience, though Chelsea may still need to negotiate a significant fee given his long-term contract.
While Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana have shown potential as a pairing, Chelsea’s depth is limited by Maresca’s lack of confidence in Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile. This has led to Chelsea’s pursuit of new talent to support their ambitions for both domestic and European success this season.
