Chelsea looking at January defender transfer as two targets come to light

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is after a new centre-back still (Image: Getty Images)

Chelsea are ready to raid the January market to sign a new centre half. Blues boss Enzo Maresca has been struggling with injuries to defenders during the early part of the season.

His undisputed first choice centre-back, England defender Levi Colwill, is out injured while Wesley Fofana has been struggling and Tosin Adarabioyo also missed the Champions League win over Benfica as well as Saturday's clash with Liverpool.

Trevoh Chalobah has been a regular but was sent off against Brighton last weekend - which earned him a one-game ban in the Premier League - and also served to highlight the shortage at the back. Josh Acheampong was called on to start against Liverpool, alongside Benoit Badiashile.

Maresca was keen to bring in another defender at the end of the summer transfer window. They did look at Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo while Nottingham Forest’s Murillo is another they like.

However, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick wanted to keep his his powerful Uruguayan captain, who endured an injury-hit 2024-25 campaign but is now getting back to something closer to his best.

Forest will want big money move for Brazilian centre-back Murillo, who has become a huge fan favourite at the City Ground.

One which will not happen is a move for Marc Guehi who is out of contract next summer but, while Maresca rates him highly, he will not go back to the club where he started and graduated through the academy.

Liverpool and a host of European clubs are keen on the man who is now Thomas Tuchel's first pick for England.