
Chelsea legend Joe Cole has emphasised the need for the Blues to strengthen their central defence in the January transfer window, with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi identified as a key target by manager Enzo Maresca.
Speaking to Paddy Power, Cole highlighted Chelsea’s defensive struggles:
“The priority for Chelsea is in central defence. Benoit Badiashile is picking up injuries and Wesley Fofana has been wonderful, but he keeps on breaking down. Levi Colwill is a young player who’s done well but he still needs to develop and improve, and he will do.”
Cole praised Guehi, a former Chelsea player now excelling at Crystal Palace and with England:
“Guehi is a proper player and he’s in England’s starting lineup now, and Chelsea are going to have to fork out to get him back. It’s an area that needs to be sorted out at Chelsea.”
Expressing frustration with Chelsea’s habit of selling players prematurely, Cole added:
“I like the links with Marc Guehi, but it’s just frustrating that they need to go and buy players that they’ve sold – Chelsea do it far too often! If needs must, and it’s the right move, you have to do it. I don’t think there’s a better center-half in the country, outside of Manchester City and Arsenal. He’s as good as anything there is, and he will get better.”
The Blues are expected to push for Guehi as they aim to boost their title hopes and close the gap on league leaders Liverpool.