Why Chelsea’s defence still isn’t settled

January 22, 2026 Oliver Obel

Chelsea’s continued search for a centre-back is not driven by a lack of bodies. It is driven by doubt. Despite a sizeable group of defenders on the books, the club still lacks clarity over who can be trusted, when, and in what roles.

That uncertainty has again shaped Chelsea’s transfer thinking this winter, even after years of heavy spending in the position.

Investment without stability

Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took control in 2022, Chelsea have committed one of the Premier League’s largest sums to central defence. The return on that investment, however, has been uneven.

Levi Colwill is facing a prolonged absence, while Jorrel Hato has spent much of the season operating away from his natural central role. Tosin Adarabioyo will miss several weeks with a hamstring injury, a setback confirmed by head coach Liam Rosenior. Axel Disasi has recently been reintegrated into first-team training, but internally he is not seen as a long-term cornerstone, and Chelsea would be open to a sale.

The result is a defensive unit that appears deep but feels unreliable a distinction that has repeatedly undermined Chelsea’s progress.

A familiar recruitment profile

BBC reporting indicates Chelsea have again turned to the French market, with Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet emerging as a preferred option. The 20-year-old fits a profile the club have prioritised for some time: a centre-back comfortable stepping into midfield spaces and initiating attacks, while also offering physical presence at 6ft 3ins.

Rennes are reluctant to negotiate during the season, but Chelsea’s interest is not purely reactive. Similar criteria guided their pursuit of Dean Huijsen last summer, before Bournemouth sold the defender to Real Madrid. When that deal fell through, Chelsea struggled to identify an alternative they felt met the same technical demands.

Debate inside and outside the club

Not everyone agrees that another signing is the solution. Some critics argue Chelsea already possess enough raw talent, even if players such as Benoit Badiashile, Disasi and Adarabioyo have yet to establish themselves at the highest level. Hato has improved after a difficult introduction, while Wesley Fofana’s Chelsea career continues to be defined by injuries rather than form.

There is also concern about development pathways. Josh Acheampong is highly regarded, and both Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino are gaining valuable experience on loan at Strasbourg and Borussia Dortmund.

Rosenior, speaking after Sarr’s Africa Cup of Nations success with Senegal, praised the defender’s potential but declined to discuss his future, stressing his respect for Strasbourg and their coaching staff.

Why Guehi was never a realistic option

Manchester City’s £20m signing of Marc Guehi inevitably prompted questions. BBC Sport has reported that the headline fee masked a far larger financial commitment, with City acting early and offering what amounted to free-agent terms, including significant bonuses, agent fees and wages of around £300,000 a week.

For Chelsea, matching that package would have created immediate problems. Guehi would have become the club’s highest-paid player, complicating dressing-room dynamics and planned contract discussions with Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Colwill. There were also stylistic reservations, with some inside the club viewing Guehi as too similar to Colwill to justify the cost.

Financial reality sets the limits

Chelsea’s broader strategy remains shaped by financial constraints. Although their wage bill remains among the league’s highest, it has been deliberately reduced, and Uefa cost controls continue to loom large. Stamford Bridge’s limited revenue potential and the absence of a front-of-shirt sponsor have further tightened margins, increasing reliance on player trading.

Champions League qualification remains the clearest route to easing those pressures. Until Chelsea reach that level again, defensive questions are likely to persist not because the club lack options, but because they are still searching for certainty.

Sources: BBC Sport