Chelsea keen to make signing in key defensive position to strengthen squad in January - Reports

Bhargav
Chelsea FC v KAA Gent - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 - Source: Getty
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca

Chelsea are reportedly looking to bolster their defence when the transfer window reopens in January. The Blues have started to find their footing under new boss Enzo Maresca after a slow start.

Taking charge of an expensively assembled side, the Championship-winning boss with Leicester City started his Stamford Bridge reign with a 2-0 home loss to four-time defending Premier League champions Manchester City at home.

However, since then, they have lost just once in their next 10 outings across competitions, going unbeaten in their last seven, winning seven times. That run has seen the Blues move up to fourth in the league, four points behind leaders Liverpool (18) after seven games.

Reece James' struggles with injury mean the Blues are short at right-back. As per GiveMeSport (via Caught Offside), the Premier League giants are scouting for versatile defensive options who can play both centre-back and right-back to ease the pressure on the likes of Malo Gusto.

Having loaned out Trevoh Chalobah to Crystal Palace in the summer, the Blues are looking to bolster their depth in the defensive third in January, considering James' patchy injury record.


What's next for Chelsea?

Chelsea FC boss Enzo Maresca
Chelsea FC boss Enzo Maresca

As has already been mentioned before, Chelsea have had a good start to the season under new boss, having won seven of their opening 11 games across competitions, losing twice.

The Blues haven't lost in seven outings across competitions since losing 2-1 at Swiss side Servette in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League play-off, a tie they won 3-2 on aggregate. Maresca's side opened their campaign in the tournament proper with a 4-2 home win over Gent.

Before that, the Blues opened their EFL Cup campaign with a thumping 5-0 home victory over Barrow last month. They next take on Premier League leaders Liverpool away on Sunday (October 20) four days before they travel to Panathinaikos for their second game in the Confernence League.

The Blues won't have happy memories from their last clash with Liverpool, losing 4-1 at Anfield in January. After Moises Caicedo had fired the visitors into the lead inside 11 minutes, the Reds turned the game on its head with four unanswered goals, scoring twice either side of the break.

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Edited by Bhargav