The 5 Centre-Backs Chelsea Must Look to Sign to Fix Defensive Blues

A New Dawn - Will Rosenior Finally Bring a Centre Back to Chelsea?

It has long been known that Chelsea are in dire need of defensive cover. Though they are reigning Club World Champions, the Blues rarely look convincing in defence, and often shoot themselves in the foot with mistakes and lapses in concentration.

The club has bought just one senior centre back to the squad since the summer of 2023, due in large part to the owners' proficiency in instead focusing on young attacking talents that look likely to become world-beaters in the future.

This strategy appears to have worked in the cases of Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian, but the focus on offensive players has seen the backline fall into neglect - French duo Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi have both been significant wastes of money, Wesley Fofana is rarely fit, and Tosin Adarabioyo has made his free transfer from Fulham look like a rip-off.

🚨🔵 Chelsea start exploring options to add centre back to the squad after internal talks.

Deinner Ordóñez deal remains done and sealed but from January 2027, #CFC now looking for new CB for this window.

➕🎥 https://t.co/9zJdbeunHn pic.twitter.com/7J8HTqSiAM

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 15, 2026

It’s not just the fans who are frustrated - previous manager Enzo Maresca grew frustrated at the Blue Co. owners on multiple occasions when they failed to provide him with a centre back during the summer transfer window, and it was a big factor in the Italian’s relationship breakdown with the board, which resulted in his sacking.

However, with Liam Rosenior’s recent arrival, fresh hope is blossoming among the Chelsea ranks that they will finally be able to bolster their backline.

But who should the London club be looking at? It is clear they need experience in their young squad (28-year-old Tosin is their oldest player), but knowing the Chelsea project, they will likely settle on a sub-23-year-old who is yet to reach anywhere near his full potential.

Well, let's break it down for you. We list five targets that Chelsea could potentially go for, broken down into targets they should go for, and targets they probably will target. Let's get stuck in.

Experience Over Youth

Alessandro Bastoni (26), Inter Milan - Market Value: £67 Million

A two-time Serie A champion, two-time Coppa Italia winner, and two-time Champions League finalist at just 26 years of age, Bastoni has been operating at the highest level for the best part of eight years.

Brought by Inter in 2017, Bastoni was thrust into Serie A football with loan spells at Atalanta and then Parma. Called back to Inter in 2019, Bastoni has rarely been out of the team since, his high football IQ and ice-cold composure in possession a key part of the way his side plays.

Chelsea need to go all out for Bastoni if we are going to make a statement signing. Enough of the mediocrity already! pic.twitter.com/MIQXyT4187

— Myth (@OluTee16) January 15, 2026

A brilliant operator when playing out from the back, Bastoni fits the mold of a Chelsea centre-back perfectly, and with vast experience in just his mid-twenties, he still has plenty of time left at the top of the game. Though his price tag may be off-putting, Bastoni should be Rosenior’s number one priority, whether it be in January or in the summer transfer window.

Antonio Rüdiger (32), Real Madrid - Contract Expiring in June

However, Rosenior could opt for even more experience should he instead target Germany international and former Chelsea man Antonio Rudiger. A popular figure in his time at Stamford Bridge, the 32-year-old went from rotation player to star centre back, and was key in Chelsea’s run to the 2021 Champions League trophy.

Chelsea fans recommend Antonio Rudiger, Igor Thiago and more as January targets
Here on TalkingPoints, Chelsea fans have already made it clear that they want to see reinforcements this month, particularly in defence.
The Chelsea Chronicle recently asked supporters who they would… pic.twitter.com/jHaJNAeRZh

— CFC Elder (@MichaelEtim14) January 13, 2026

Unfortunately for the Blues, they were unable to rake in a transfer fee for him when he left in 2023, as he departed upon the expiry of his contract. But his level remained immensely high in the Spanish capital, and since making the jump to Spain, he picked up eight winners' medals, including a Champions League, a La Liga, and a Copa Del Rey.

However, Rüdiger is out of contract at the Bernabéu this summer, and the opportunity to bring back a familiar face with a deep well of experience, 81 international caps and a world-class trophy cabinet should not pass Rosenior by.

Young Guns

Jeremy Jacquet (20), Rennes - Market Value: £15 Million

However, given the trend of Chelsea’s recent transfer windows, the acquisition of experience seems unlikely, with youth the overwhelmingly likely target. Jeremy Jacquet fits the Blues bill perfectly.

The 20-year-old Frenchman only has one and a half senior campaigns under his belt at Rennes, totalling 29 appearances, but the youngster has certainly made a superb impression during his short time in the limelight. Standing at 188 cm, he boasts both aerial presence and a good burst of pace in recovery, perfect for the pace of the Premier League.

🚨 Bayern Munich have joined the likes of Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, and Liverpool in the race to sign Jérémy Jacquet. Rennes want a similar fee to that for Jérémy Doku when he joined Man City (£57m).

(@lequipe via @GFFN) #CFC pic.twitter.com/bhbre5WD8g

— Chelsea Dodgers (@TheBlueDodger) January 16, 2026

However, his purchase would just be a repeat of the mistakes Chelsea have made in the transfer market in recent years. Yes, youth certainly has its advantages, but without an experienced head to lead them, we have seen this young Chelsea squad capitulate into lost leads and shocking discipline.

I would recommend re-assessing Jacquet in a couple of years or so.

Jacobo Ramon (21), Como - Market Value: £8.3 Million

Onto a youngster with even less experience, 21-year-old Spaniard Ramon has been a revelation at Como in the midst of their high-flying, European football-chasing campaign. Playing all but three games under former Blue Cesc Fabregas in the league this season, the starlet has seen his reputation balloon rapidly.

Though his huge 196 cm frame does deny him a yard of pace, he is such an aerial presence that this often doesn’t matter. Add on top of this the fact that due to his height his positioning is second to none, and you can see why he is a top young target.

Jacobo Ramón - Chelsea CB target 🎥pic.twitter.com/AlBrVeQswg

— Retro 23 (@Ll3tte) January 15, 2026

He even played six times for childhood club Real Madrid last season, scoring against Mallorca in May, and for a short time looked set to inherit a first-team spot after the departures of Rudiger and Alaba at the end of this season.

However, Como purchased him for a bargain €2.5 million, and hasn’t looked back. Nevertheless, while Ramon is bound to be a big name in years to come, Chelsea once again should steer clear for now due to his lack of experience.

Best of Both Worlds

Ousmane Diomande (22), Sporting CP - Market Value: £33 Million

If Chelsea wish to sign a hybrid of youth and experience, look no further than Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande. Despite his tender age of 22, the Ivorian international already has 113 senior appearances to his name for the Portuguese side, and his reputation took off early.

Pursued by the likes of Liverpool, PSG and FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the last six months, Diomande’s stock has never been higher, and with a market value of less than £35 million, he is a relatively cheap pick-up in today’s market.

Sporting de Lisboa le ha comunicado al Chelsea que el el club demanda un precio de £68M por el traspaso del defensa Marfileño, Ousmane Diomande (21) para este verano. [Teamtalk] pic.twitter.com/wFODQaEC9S

— Futbol de Inglaterra (@Mercado_Ingles) June 20, 2025

The only off-putting factor about a potential deal is the sheer number of suitors interested. Real Madrid will doubtless be involved, with Rudiger set to leave, and Man United will also be looking to plug the gap left by Harry Maguire’s imminent departure.

If Chelsea want him, they will need to move quickly - it cannot be a case of waiting until the summer. With that being said, there are other equally sufficient targets who are far less sought after.

Antonio Silva, Goncalo Inacio, Joel Ordonez and Mario Gila are all reasonably priced young options, and all would no doubt strengthen the fragile nature of Liam Rosenior’s backline. The young coach is spoilt for choice - now it’s just down to who he chooses, and crucially, if the board is willing to back him.