The genius transfer Chelsea can land to bolster defence in January - if they beat Arsenal to the deal
Chelsea are looking to build their squad to be the best in Europe, with world class players in every department.
One of the things that has been very evident for Chelsea so far this season is that their attacking play has been excellent, and almost everyone is fighting for a starting spot. Nicolas Jackson has been brilliant, and even when he doesn't score, his hold-up play has been sensational. Cole Palmer is just Cole Palmer, consistently impressive.
However, one area the club is clearly looking to improve is defence. The likes of Renato Veiga and Tosin Adarabioyo have come into the club and made a positive impact, but they aren’t yet pushing for a regular starting role. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are interested in Portuguese central defender Tomas Araujo and want to sign him for the former Leicester boss. O Jogo in Portugal reports that Benfica's Araujo is on Chelsea's shortlist.
The 22-year-old has impressed in the 36 games he has played for the Portuguese club, and as a result, he is attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea. He is exactly the kind of signing the Chelsea board would like to sanction - young, talented, and promising.
Given the recent trend of Chelsea signing Portuguese players, with the arrivals of Veiga, Neto, and João Félix, it’s no surprise they are being linked to another important player from the European nation.
That said, Chelsea already have Levi Colwill, who many believe will be an absolute superstar in the Premier League and potentially a future captain, following in the footsteps of club legend John Terry. Wesley Fofana has also been brilliant. For a player who missed an entire season through injury, his return and performances have been first class, and truly a statement of his quality.
There is also interest from Arsenal and PSG, both of whom are desperate to take Araujo away from Benfica in the upcoming transfer window. So, Chelsea will need to act swiftly and leverage their contacts if they want to secure one of the best young defenders in Europe.
What next
Reports suggest that Benfica value Araujo very highly, so a deal would not be easy to pull off. He is contracted to the club until 2028, and as his performances continue to impress, Chelsea may have to pay a fee similar to what they paid for Enzo Fernandez.
When Chelsea last went to Benfica for a player, the deal they secured was a record transfer. However, it's fair to say that the club has not received fair value for the price they paid for the Argentine.
One thing is certain, though: Chelsea have ambition. A key part of that ambition is creating an environment where there’s intense competition within the squad, ensuring the team will continue to pursue the best talents in the game without being deterred by obstacles.
The strong start
Maresca has exceeded expectations at Chelsea so far. He’s brought the best out of young players, creating genuine competition and an environment where players are motivated to continue improving. Chelsea’s ability to attract young talent is now more than ever based on the fact that these players know their development will be accelerated in west London.