Chelsea have struck gold on a “world class” star.

No one can deny, Enzo Maresca has exceeded expectations since his appointment to Chelsealeading the club to a top-five finish with more than half the season already played.

Undoubtedly, there is still a long way to go Premier Leaguebut all signs are positive for his long-term future in charge of West London, potentially ending their wait for a league triumph.

However, injuries have played their part in recent weeks, with Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile spending long spells on the sidelines, contributing to their recent form which has seen them win just one in six league games.

Such failures have led to a number of players deputizing for players in the center of defence, with Josh Acheampong and Tosin the only two players to cover in their absence.

The opening of the January transfer market could see the hierarchy re-strengthen after their previous efforts in the market, with one player already consistently touting a return to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s pursuit of re-signing Marco Guehi this month

Rumors have been persistent in recent weeks, linking various players from around the world to join the Blues, but one just won’t go away in the form of the Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.

England representative he joined the Eagles for just £18m in the summer of 2021, taking his career to the next level as a result of a move to the capital – leading to success with club and country – he captained Palace and even went to Euro 2024 with his nation.

Such levels of performance have seen Maresca’s men boasted of the January move for the 24-year-old despite already recalling Trevor Chalobah from his loan spell alongside Oliver Glasner.

However, each deal can be another set Todd Boehlyand his current employers had previously sought compensation in the region of £75 million to part with the captain of their club in the summer following interest from Newcastle United in Eddie Howe.

There’s little denying that a player of his supreme experience would bolster their current top-four ambitions, but with Chalobah’s return coupled with a price hike for another Blues star – they could forego a move for Guehi, believing in his current squad.

A player who is now worth much more than Guehi

Both of the aforementioned talents came through the Blues’ academy before taking to professional football like a duck to water – showing just how impressive the Cobham academy has been for the club in recent years.

However, they are not the only defensive stars to emerge in recent years, with Reece James just another to make the jump to the first team, even captaining the side following his breakthrough.

He is shown next to him Levi Colwill over the past 18 months, helping the centre-back develop into one of England’s leading defensive stars, even partnering Guehi on the international stage.

After loan spells at Huddersfield Town and Brighton and Hove Albion, he is 21 years old since then he has made 56 appearances for his boyhood club, appearing in all but one league game during 2024/25.

“world class” Colwill, as talent scout Jacek Kulig called him, has achieved incredible numbers in recent months, completing 90% of the pass he tried, finding a teammate on 1,369 occasions.

He has also won 68% of the fights reported to date, along with 58% of his aerial battles – developing into the perfect option within the Italian’s possession-based system, which relies on his defenders being able to control and be comfortable with the ball at their feet.

As a result of his consistency, he saw his value skyrocket, it is now valued at £100 million by the club according to The Athletic, a fee far greater than Guehi’s, further demonstrating his rapid development in recent years.

Given his talent and the other options available to Maresca, there is no real need to pursue the Palace ace, with such a deal likely to prevent the likes of Acheampong in the process.

The club must be wishing they had kept Guehi in the first place a few years ago, but given Colwill’s rapid progression, it’s clear they have a bigger talent on their hands – allowing them to forget about a potential reunion with the defender this month.