Chelsea look set to enter the transfer market for a new central defender.
Thiago Silva is likely to leave Chelsea at the end of the season when his contract expires, while the likes of Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana have struggled to stay fit since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
With Silva expected to depart, the Blues could make a move for Lille’s Leny Yoro, a report from the Evening Standard has claimed.
According to the outlet, Chelsea view Yoro as an ideal addition for the club’s project but face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.
As per Marca, Lille value the 18-year-old at €100m (£85m). It has also been claimed that Yoro wants to join Real Madrid.
Leny Yoro ideal for Chelsea’s project
Yoro fits the profile of player Chelsea have been signing since being taken over by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, young with potential.
You can see, then, why the club would view him as an ideal addition. However, if the Blues are planning to replace Silva, then some supporters would probably like to see someone with a bit more experience coming in.
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This is already a very young Chelsea team who have really struggled this season. Under Mauricio Pochettino, they are currently 11th in the Premier League table.
They also could not get over the line in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, whose squad was quite depleted that day because of injuries. Does Yoro fix their problems? It would be a lot to ask of a teenager who has never played in the English top flight before.
This is the new Chelsea, though, and the direction that the club want to head in it seems.
As well as central defence, the Blues could also strengthen at left-back. According to journalist Simon Phillips, they are closely watching Brest youngster Bradley Locko ahead of the summer transfer window.
