Chelsea eyeing OH Leuven centre-back Roggerio Nyakossi | OneFootball

Chelsea are one of the clubs in the race to sign OH Leuven centre-back Roggerio Nyakossi, according to The Sun.

The Blues desperately need reinforcement in the rearguard and have turned to the 6ft4ins giant to bolster their backline.

The reported Chelsea target has won 59% of his aerial and 55% of his ground duels in the Belgian Pro League this season.

In 19 appearances, Nyakossi has bagged three goals and helped keep three clean sheets, turning heads with his exceptional defensive prowess.

Chelsea are preparing to sell at least three defenders this summer, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile on the chopping block, and Trevoh Chalobah might join them.

If they leave, Chelsea will need to bring in new bodies to plug the hole and if reports are to be believed, Nyakossi is one of their targets.

He fits the profile of players Chelsea have been targeting since the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Consortium took over the club.

However, Chelsea are not the only club to have taken note of Nyakossi’s excellent performances.

Liverpool, Everton, West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace are also in the race for his signature.

Nyakossi’s profile is certainly intriguing. A towering presence with an eye for goal and decent duel success, he ticks several boxes for a club looking to build for the future.

But Chelsea’s situation is far more urgent than that. This side has been repeatedly exposed at the back.

They lack leadership and organisation, and are unreliable in high-pressure Premier League environments.

Taking a gamble on a relatively unproven defender from Belgium does little to address their immediate weaknesses.

Chelsea do not just need potential. They need a defender who understands the pace, physicality and tactical demands of English football and can slot in from day one.

Nyakossi may well develop into a fine centre-back, but he is not the profile Chelsea should be prioritising.

Right now, experience and Premier League readiness must trump raw upside if they are serious about fixing their defence.