Transfer insider Dean Jones has claimed on The Football Terrace podcast that Chelsea are looking at Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe.
The Blues’ lack of depth at centre-back is commonly known at this point.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s contracts expire this summer and will leave the west London club. With reports speculating on Cesar Azpilicueta’s future, this leaves 38-year-old Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr, and Trevoh Chalobah as their only centre-backs next season.
Thomas Tuchel deployed three centre-backs in 33 of Chelsea’s 38 Premier League games this campaign, so bringing in new reinforcements at the back is surely a priority.
With this in mind, Jones has claimed that one defender Chelsea is looking at is Kimpembe.
“Tuchel loves Kimpembe. This is one that’s probably really interesting for them right now.
“Skriniar has been linked with a move to PSG, Sven Botman’s been linked with a move to PSG. You automatically have to look at the players who are playing that position thinking well what’s the future of these guys, is one of them going to become available for transfer.
“If Kimpembe was to become available for transfer, then I think Chelsea would potentially move for him because, not only does Tuchel rate him, but Tuchel, for this summer at least, has a massive massive say in who comes through that door.”
Our thoughts on Jones’ Kimpembe claim…
With the 26-year-old being left-footed, if he does move to the west London club he will most likely be replacing Rudiger, who has already agreed on a deal to join Real Madrid this summer, on the left of the back three.
The Germany international will be difficult to replace, having been Chelsea’s top five for tackles and interceptions, clearances, and blocks this campaign, while also in the top 10% for all Premier League centre-backs in progressive passes, goal-creating actions, and carries.
However, there are signs that the France international could step in the 29-year-old’s shoes. The £36m-rated colossus is in the top three for PSG players who have made more than ten league appearances in interceptions, clearances, blocks, passes, and pass accuracy, suggesting that he can excel at Stamford Bridge at both ends of the pitch.
He has emerged as one of the first names on the team sheet, with only Kylian Mbappe and Marquinhos featuring more. This was something that was predicted by former Chelsea defender William Gallas, who said in 2018 that the PSG Academy graduate was the “future of Les Blues”.
“There is a guy above the lot, it’s the Parisian Presnel Kimpembe. Him, I can tell you that he will succeed because he does not burn the stages.
“I know many who, in his place, would have already left PSG. He stayed. And he learns a lot alongside Marquinhos and Thiago Silva. Even if he plays a lot at PSG, he will still hatch.
“Kimpembe is the future of Les Bleus. In two years, I see him as an indisputable starter in the France team.”
With Tuchel having managed the £164k-per-week star at PSG, Kimpembe would be a good signing for Chelsea.
AND in other news, Thomas Tuchel wants “phenomenal” £13.5m-rated gem to replace wantaway star at Chelsea…