Chelsea Eyeing January Swoop for England International Defender

Chelsea are reportedly giving serious consideration to making a significant January transfer move for an England international defender as they look to strengthen their squad for a Premier League title push.

Despite manager Enzo Maresca downplaying title talk, Chelsea find themselves firmly in the championship race at the midway point of the season. Their recent victory over Brentford, their seventh consecutive win, moved them to within two points of league leaders Liverpool.

However, there are still areas of concern for the Blues, particularly in defense where they have managed just three clean sheets this season – half as many as title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool. This has prompted Chelsea to explore defensive reinforcements in the January window.

While the club had previously been linked with young talents like Benfica’s Tomas Araujo and RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba, the potentially high costs involved have led Chelsea to shift their focus. According to Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips, the club is now “seriously considering” a move to bring back former academy product Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

Guehi left Chelsea for Palace in 2021 for £18 million, with Chelsea retaining a 20% sell-on clause. The 23-year-old center-back has since established himself as a regular for England and earned high praise from Palace chairman Steve Parish, who called him “sensational” and a “superstar.”

With just 18 months remaining on his £50,000-per-week contract at Palace, Guehi’s value may start to decline unless he signs a new deal. This, combined with Chelsea’s sell-on clause, makes him an attractive option for the Blues.

Guehi has made over 100 Premier League appearances despite his young age and can play effectively on either side of central defense. While other clubs like Newcastle have shown interest, Chelsea view Guehi as a potential final piece in their title-chasing squad under Maresca.