Chelsea they essentially took apart their talented and young defensive line and put it together with some big money names that failed to hit the bullseye for one reason or another.
Fikayo Tomori won Serie A with AC Milan, Andreas Christensen left on a free transfer to sign for Barcelona and Marc Guehi advances with Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
The latter man is particularly relevant, as Chelsea are once again on the lookout for centre-backs and have turned their attention to the Cobham graduate.
Chelsea want to sign a contract with the central defender
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea are looking in the market for new centre-backs and could launch a big bid for the aforementioned Guehi from Palace, with loanee Trevoh Chalobah also carrying a release clause.
However, portable insider Simon Phillips notes that Chelsea’s options are not that limited and that Bournemouth prodigy Dean Huijsen could be the man for the job, having been shortlisted this winter.
Huijsen is only 19 but has enjoyed his first half in the Premier League with flying colors and could be the perfect profile to bring to Stamford Bridge, especially considering Wesley Fofanaendless struggles with injuries.
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Why Dean Huijsen could be Fofana’s upgrade
In July, Bournemouth signed Huijsen from Juventus in a deal that rises to more than £15mand the young centre-back sees the Vitality Stadium as the perfect zone to grow into his skin as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.
He was incredible, scoring twice in the Premier League and starting the Cherries’ the past seven gamesshowing age maturity and control. He could be the man to replace Fofana.
Chelsea and Fofana have endured an unhappy marriage since he left Leicester in 2022 to move to west London in a £75 million package. Still only 24, the Frenchman has he started only 26 games in the top division for Chelsea due to constant injury problems.
It’s time for action, and Huijsen must be the signing, as he is a long-term project and also thrives as a key member of Andoni Iraola’s backline. He has what it takes to leapfrog the likes of Fofana under Maresca’s wing.
|
Premier League 24/25 – Guehi vs Fofana & Huijsen |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Match statistics* |
|||
|
Matches (starts) |
19 (19) |
12 (12) |
14 (9) |
|
Objectives |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Assists |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clean sheets |
4 |
1 |
4 |
|
touch* |
66.1 |
70.9 |
52.1 |
|
Completion of passage |
84% |
90% |
85% |
|
Key Passes* |
0.4 |
0.4 |
0.7 |
|
Ball recovery* |
4.3 |
4.1 |
3.0 |
|
Tackles + interceptions* |
2.2 |
2.1 |
2.4 |
|
Move apart* |
4.7 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
|
Total matches (won)* |
5.4 (64%) |
4.8 (57%) |
3.4 (57%) |
|
Statistics via Sofascore (* = per match) |
|||
Huijsen is not yet as refined as Fofana – nor Guehi – but at 19 he has certainly been taken to the Premier League seamlessly, even praised for his “ridiculous” technical quality analyst Ben Mattinson.
Additional evidence: according to FBrefthe Spanish young international ranks among the top 4% of Premier League defenders this season for goals scored, top 1% for shot creation actions, top 7% for progressive passes and top 12% for aerial duels won in the 90.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or carried into the penalty area.
They say the best ability is availability, and with Fofana missing so much football over the past few seasons, it would certainly be worth targeting a rising star like Huijsen, one whose athleticism and technical talent could be perfect for Enzo Marescaexpansive system.
There is something special about this kid and Chelsea need to make sure they snap him up quickly, because if they don’t, another top class suitor will for sure.
