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Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea really want to sign £15m defender who scored vs Man Utd and Spurs this season

Srinivas Sadhanand

Sun 26 January 2025 12:15, UK

Chelsea have a whole host of centre-backs on their books but despite that being the case, their backline is far from solid.

Chelsea’s defence was picked apart by Manchester🍷 City in♒ th♋eir 3-1 latest defeat as Erling Haaland gave Trevoh Chalobah a baptism of fire upon his return to his boyhood club while also bullying Levi Colwill.

Enzo Maresca will b🙈e alarmed to discover that his side have shipped as many as 30 goals in 23 Premier League games this season.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	ChelseaChelsea	23	11	7	5	45	30	15	40

Wesley Fofana🐽 and Colwill have yet to convince at the back and since tꦡhe former’s injury, neither have Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi while Benoit Badiashile’s season has been hampered by injuries as well.

Chelsea p꧃lan to axe Adarabioyo, Disas🍒i and Badiashile. Instead, Marc Guehi is on Chelsea’s radar as they aim to improve their defence.

Chelsea like Ilia Zabarniy ♑as well, who is having an impressive s♒eason in an AFC Bournemouth shirt.

Dean Huijsen is “high” on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist

So much so that sources told TBR Football that Chelsea sent scouts to watch Zabarniy as he played in his side’s 1-0 win against Tottenham. The Ukrainian has forme൲d one of the most formidable centre-back pairings with Dean Huijsen, who is having a tಌerrific season at Bournemouth — as they conceded four less goals (26) than Chelsea this campaign.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
7	B’mouthBournemouth	23	11	7	5	41	26	15	40

Signed from Juventus for £15.3 ♌million () last summer🍰, the 19-year-old has been a class act and one of the main reasons why Andoni Iraola’s side are having such a fabulous season.

Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Hui❀jsen is also “high on the list” for Chelsea.

The Spanish U-21 international h⛦as a release clause in his contract which will be active in the ꧑summer of 2025.

Romano has also revealed that Bayern Munich have “called to be informed💙” about Huijs🌼en’s situation at Bournemouth.

The teenager has grabbed the headlines this season, especially against the big sides as he score🎀d the winner against Tottenham Hotspur and in the Cherries’ statement 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United.

In possession, Huijsen is the modern-day centre-half, known fꦗor his expansive passing range and comfortability in tight situations.

But most importantly, the Amsterdam-born colossus is as as๊tute reader of the game and a composed defender who mak🌠es decisions well beyond his years.

Daniele De Rossi said Dean Huijsen can be “one of the best players in the world”

In February last year, Daniele De Rossi, who coached Huijsen at Roma claimed that he has the potential to not jus♈t become one of the best centre-backs in the wo🤡rld but one of the standout players the game has to offer.

The World Cup winner told : “Huijsen is becoming mꦅore and more mature. He does a lot. He’s very smart.”

“He doesn’t look 18-years-old on the field. He knows what he is doing. But sometimes a little too well. [Huijsen] is good with the ball at his feet, but sometimes a little too calm.

“I think he needs to learn some more ‘Italian tricks’ in his own box. If he does that, he will༺ become one of the best players in the world.”

Over the past few years, Chelsea have❀ shown their willingness to sign young players.

Names like Moises⛄ Caicedo, Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia instantly🌠 spring to mind.

Much like Caicedo, Huijsen is a Premier League-prov🐻en player, which perhaps boosts his chances of becoming a successful signing if he indeed makes a move to Stamford Bridge.

As the highly-rated youngster plays against league leaders Liverpool next Saturday, the 🅷Blues will not get a better oppor൲tunity to ascertain where he stands.