22-year-old Defender Has Rejected A Move To Chelsea: How Would It Affect The Club? | OneFootball

Chelsea have been moving urgently in the summer transfer window. Their defence is a concern, as Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile have not fully convinced, and the club might be looking for more reliable long-term options. With a young squad under reconstruction under the watchful eye of the board, the focus is on players who already know the Premier League.

That’s where Illia Zabarnyi comes in. Bournemouth‘s Ukrainian centre-back, just 22, has gained recognition for his solidity, tactical intelligence and maturity. With almost 100 appearances in England, he became a real option to reinforce the centre of the Blues’ backline.

Illia Zabarnyi Has Rejected A Move To Chelsea

According to Graeme Bailey (TBR Football), both Chelsea and Liverpool had Zabarnyi’s name on their books. Bournemouth were asking around £60m for him. Chelsea saw him as the perfect replacement for Disasi or Badiashile, while Liverpool were looking at him as the heir to Virgil van Dijk. But the story took a different turn. Zabarnyi has chosen Paris Saint-Germain as his next destination. The French club are looking for a centre-back in view of the departure of Presnel Kimpembe. Paris made a move, and the Ukrainian defender accepted. Chelsea and Liverpool, meanwhile, were left without their man.

GENK, BELGIUM – MARCH 23: Illia Zabarnyi #13 of Ukraine looks on in the first half of the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A/B Play-offs second leg match between Belgium and Ukraine on March 23, 2025 in Genk, Belgium. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

T4O Opinion:

Chelsea should have done more. A young defender, proven in the Premier League and with room to grow, does not come along every day. In a market saturated with overrated up-and-comers and physically challenged veterans, Zabarnyi offered balance. The fact that Bournemouth were asking a high figure was predictable. The price for proven talent in England is always high. However, the investment was justified if the aim was to build a more reliable defence that does not rely on inconsistent players. Losing him means not only letting go of a promising centre-back, but also giving in to direct competition in Europe.

The Ukrainians’ decision to join PSG could have immediate effects on Chelsea’s plans. The club will have to look at other markets or rely on centre-backs with physical or performance doubts. It may also push them to look for an emergency loan move or take a chance on an inexperienced youngster.

But the truth is that Zabarnyi would have fit into the plans of Enzo Maresca. His choice by PSG represents a missed opportunity. It’s not just about the talent that is leaving, but the profile they needed. Chelsea missed out on a player already adapted to the English rhythm, with room for development, and tactically committed. It is not every day that such an opportunity presents itself.