Chelsea eyeing OH Leuven centre-back Roggerio Nyakossi | OneFootball

Chelsea are interested in signing OH Leuven centre-back Roggerio Nyakossi, according to the Sun.

The Blues desperately need defensive reinforcements and have turned to the 6ft 4in giant to bolster their backline.

He has won 59 percent of his aerial and 55% of his ground duels in the Belgian Pro League this season.

Nyakossi has bagged three goals and helped keep three clean sheets in 19 appearances.

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

Nyakossi fits the profile of players Chelsea have been targeting since Todd Boehly and the 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 United, Fulham and Crystal Palace are also in the race to sign him.

Chelsea need Premier League-proven defenders

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.

However, 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 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.