Insider: Chelsea’s perfect target to be their “Van Dijk” is not for sale at any price in January | OneFootball

Looking at that ball hanging in the air for a few seconds after Reece James fluffed clearance on Saturday, there was only one thing Chelsea fans were thinking: I wish we had a dominant centre back.

Of course goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen should have been coming to grab it, but in that moment, as in many other

Trevoh Chalobah has had a really good start to the season, but he’s the Joel Matip, not the Virgil Van Dijk of this equation, the John Stones rather than the Ruben Dias. He’s quick, smart, well rounded. He’s not a physical monster who’s willing to clear out everyone in the way just to get a scarred forehead on the ball.

Chelsea don’t have their Van Dijk

Jarrad Branthwaite in action for Everton.

So it’s no wonder that we wake up on Monday morning to see Chelsea linked to a player who could be just that.

CaughtOffside have today revived rumours from the summer that Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton is a Chelsea target.

They stress that a January deal isn’t likely, but that shouldn’t be a problem. Chelsea should be thinking big picture, and as it stands it doesn’t feel like there are many clear better options for their defence than the gigantic Toffee.

Branthwaite’s Chelsea chances weighed up

Pete O’Rourke had some quotes for Football Insider where he discussed the defender’s chances of leaving and how much it would cost:

“I’m not surprised there is interest from the likes of Man United, Chelsea, Tottenham and even Liverpool were linked with him as well. One of the best pieces of business Everton did over the summer was tying down Branthwaite to a new contract until 2030, it was a huge boost to ward off interest,” the transfer writer explained.

“Everton’s stance is that Branthwaite is not for sale, they want to keep him, he’s part of the new project and they don’t want to weaken the squad. I think right now Everton are planning for life with Branthwaite and wouldn’t even consider any offers for the defender in January.”