This is part two in a three-part series. You can read part one here.
In part one we looked at Chelsea’s goalkeeper options, as well as their somewhat complicated left-back situation. Here we will continue on to the rest of the Blues’ backline as well as well as their defensive midfield.
Trevor Chalobah
Chelsea’s central defence will be lacking a key figure moving forward. Football and Chelsea legend Thiago Silva left Chelsea at the end of the 2023/24 season after four years to return to Brazilian club Flumenise. He and Trevor Chalobah were Chelsea’s best in central defence, a strong pairing, especially in the second part of the season.
Unfortunately for Chelsea fans though, Chalobah might be leaving his boyhood club this summer. Although the Englishman has no interest in leaving Stamford Bridge, the club seem keen on letting him go.
Levi Colwill
Levi Colwill is another one of Chelsea’s homegrown centre-backs. Pochettino played him more as a left-back than he did as a centre-back, another key to Chelsea’s poor performance last season, especially defensively. Colwill has proven himself to be a talented centre-back, and should Enzo Marseca return him to his natural position, Chelsea might improve defensively again.
Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile
Frenchmen Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile have not been Chelsea’s strongest centre-backs this just completed season. Badiashile joined halfway through the 2022/23 season and was impressive whenever he played. However, he sustained an injury towards the end of that season, and carried a new one at the start of the next season, keeping him out of play for a long time. He returned momentarily before sustaining a similar injury again. Badiashile eventually returned to action again but has yet to hit the form that he showed in the 2022/23 season.
As for Disasi, he joined Chelsea for the 2023/24 season. He scored on his debut, against Liverpool. In many games, he displayed the natural instincts of a striker, a position he revealed he used to play in. Defensively, however, he made some errors for the Blues. Despite being a centre-back, Disasi was sometimes deployed as a right-back whenever the natural fullbacks were unavailable. Lacking the natural instincts of a natural fullback, it was a largely ineffective choice for Chelsea.
Alfie Gilchrist
Alfie Gilchrist has worked his way to the first team of his boyhood club. He made his first team debut in the 2023/24 season, making 21 appearances. The young centre-back played in a central position as well as on the right flank, showing massive potential each time. He even managed a goal when he scored against Everton in Chelsea’s dominant 6-0 Premier League win.
Reece James
At right-back, Chelsea has two strong options. There is captain Reece James who is considered one of the best right-backs in the world whenever he is fully fit. However, James is rarely ever fully fit. Much like Chilwell, the Cobham graduate has spent the majority of his time in and out of the rehabilitation centre.
Malo Gusto
Signed as a replacement for James, was Frenchman Malo Gusto who came from Lyon. The 21-year-old has been superb for Chelsea so far, absolute value for money. Whenever on the field, he has controlled the right wing with ease. He was Chelsea’s best player defensively all season long.
New and potential signings
Chelsea’s first signing of the season is Tosin Adarabioyo who has joined from their neighbours, Fulham on a free transfer. He had an incredible campaign last season at Fulham, in arguably the best form of his career so far.
Chelsea unveil their free signing Tosin Adarabioyo 🔵
Other CBs in the squad:
Axel Disasi
Benoit Badiashile
Trevoh Chalobah
Wesley Fofana
Levi Colwill
Malang Sarr pic.twitter.com/mkQMHfyobh— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 7, 2024
Chelsea has shown interest in centre-back Ricardo Calafiori. The left-footed player has garnered adoration from his performances at the 2024 Euros for Italy. Calafiori can also play as a left-back. Chelsea however are not the only ones in the race to sign the Italian. Their London rivals Arsenal have also shown keen interest in the defender.
Midfield
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo is the Blues’ main defensive midfielder at the moment. He joined Chelsea from Brighton on a whopping £115 million fee ahead of the 2023/24 season. He is young and has yet to justify his price tag, however, he has settled into Chelsea’s midfield. He has massively improved for the Blues and performed well in the second half of the season.
Romeo Lavia
Romeo Lavia is yet to make an impression in a Chelsea jersey. The defensive midfielder has only played once for Chelsea, coming on as a substitute in the first half of the season having returned from an injury that he sustained before the start of the season. He sustained a knock in his one appearance, keeping him out for the remainder of the season. His return date is still unknown, but it is hoped that he will be able to be fit for the 2024/25 season.