EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea still keen on “dominating” defender they’ve chased for years | OneFootball

It’s one of those rumours that just won’t go away…

Chelsea seem to be pretty happy with their defensive option at the moment. Even with Levi Colwill missing the whole season, the Blues have plenty of other options. Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah are forming a promising partnership right now, with young Josh Acheampong the rising star behind them.

Benoit Badiashile is still a talent when he is fit, and Tosin is a solid fourth choice.

Chelsea like “dominating profile” of Barcelona star

BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 6: Barcelona’s Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo celebrates his goal.

But that doesn’t stop the Blues being linked with new signings in that position, and one that keeps cropping us is Ronald Araujo. Our writer Simon Phillips has reported today that the Barcelona man remains a player the Blues are watching.

His sources confirm that Chelsea have been watching Araujo and like his “presence and leadership,” thinking that is the sort of “dominating profile” they need to add.

There certainly is room for a player of that type at Chelsea. For all of the qualities of the players we do have, none really show that sort of profile. Fofana is a better player in some ways but isn’t a dominant leader on the pitch in the same way, nor is Colwill.

If Chelsea were going to sign a defender, this is the sort we’d want them to sign, and we can see why the Uruguayan’s name keeps coming up. If he’s available next summer, expect our interest to go up a level.

In other news…

One leader we already have is Reece James. He’s been fit for a year now, and has been among the best right backs in the league so far this season.

James’ newfound fitness has allowed him to develop off the field too – this interview talks about how sources see his growing character as a leader.