Chelsea, under the management of Mauricio Pochettino, are actively seeking reinforcements to fortify their squad after a challenging season that has seen them languishing in 11th place in the Premier League and losing the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool.
With defense identified as a key area needing improvement, Pochettino is gearing up for a significant overhaul during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Of particular concern is the left-back position, where the current options are deemed insufficient.
Ian Maatsen, one of the potential candidates, is currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund due to limited opportunities at Stamford Bridge.
Despite his impressive performances in the Bundesliga, his future with Chelsea remains uncertain.
Another left-back, Marc Cucurella, has failed to impress since his arrival from Brighton and is reportedly being courted by other clubs, with owner Todd Boehly already exploring potential interest.
With Ben Chilwell struggling with injuries, Chelsea is eyeing Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as a viable option.
Despite only joining Bournemouth last summer, Kerkez has made a notable impact with 26 appearances in his debut season in England.
Chelsea scouts have been deployed to assess the 20-year-old Hungarian, and a potential transfer could yield a significant profit for Bournemouth, who acquired him for £15.5 million.
However, Chelsea faces competition from Manchester United in securing Kerkez’s signature, as both clubs seek to bolster their left-back options.
Pochettino, after a recent match, emphasized the need for improvement in defense, indicating the club’s determination to rectify their shortcomings.
As they strive to learn and evolve from their mistakes, Chelsea’s pursuit of defensive reinforcements reflects their commitment to reclaiming their competitive edge in the Premier League.