CHELSEA TO ACCELERATE DEFENDER MOVE AND BOOST LIAM ROSENIOR’S SQUAD
Chelsea are ready to make a move for a new defender in the remaining weeks of the January transfer window and give Liam Rosenior a boost to his start as the club’s new head coach.
Former head coach Enzo Maresca made no secret of his desire to land a defender in the summer transfer window, when Chelsea missed out to Real Madrid for Dean Huijsen.
The move for Huijsen was made before Levi Colwill suffered the injury that has prevented him from playing so far this season and Chelsea were unable to land a suitable alternative.
Potential targets had been lined up for the end of the season, but Chelsea are now looking at accelerating a deal to help Rosenior cope with the club’s busy fixture list and implement his style of play.
Chelsea had planned to try to sell at least one defender to accommodate a new face in the summer, but the club are prepared to carry an extra body for the remaining four months of the season if they can strike a deal for the right man.
Colwill’s injury, together with Wesley Fofana’s fitness issues, have forced Chelsea to rotate between Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoît Badiashile with Trevoh Chalobah starting regularly.
Rosenior made three changes to his back four during the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday night and afterwards highlighted that his team had struggled to build from the back at times.
A central defender who can play out from the back would be a big addition for Rosenior. Chelsea have been linked with Rennes centre-back Jérémy Jacquet and Jacobo Ramón, who only joined Como from Real Madrid last summer.
Chelsea are also targeting at least one new midfielder and a versatile attacker in 2026 and are open to January opportunities in those positions. But defence is currently rated as the most likely position to be strengthened this month.
Other than holding talks with Chelsea’s owners and sporting directors over the squad, Rosenior has held a series of one-to-one talks with his new players.
Sources claim some of Chelsea’s key men had become frustrated under Maresca and Rosenior has wasted no time in trying to get his entire squad on board with what he wants since succeeding the Italian. Apart from conveying messages in team meetings and speaking to the entire group, Rosenior has held discussions with individuals to find out how they feel about their roles, form and fitness.
With so many games to contend with, Rosenior is not expected to make any big tactical changes but instead look to make some marginal gains through subtle tweaks.
One well-placed source said: “The mood has been really good since Liam came in. Not everyone had been entirely happy, but there has been a notable shift and Liam’s communication skills have been really evident.”
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