Chelsea are losing faith in two of their most high-profile defenders. At the same time, Manchester City are preparing to sign one of them – and it could easily end up with a world record.
In short: Chelsea’s defence is in chaos. The Blues have spent huge sums of money on the players who are already there, with Malo Gusto, Marco Palestra, Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix and Jorrel Hato all brought in for big money by defender standards. Whether it is Xabi Alonso’s tactics or the player material that is the problem is open to debate. The result is that Chelsea have conceded 15 goals in just eight Premier League games this season – and 19 in 11 games when the League Cup is included.
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According to Flashscore reporter Dean Jones, the Blues are now considering ending the Chelsea careers of both Gusto and Fofana. Both struggled at Anfield on Wednesday night – despite Liverpool starting the game without Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak in the line-up.
Gusto has been in and out of the team this season, with Pedro Neto largely preferred at right wing-back. According to Jones, the concerns extend “beyond one disappointing game” – and Chelsea are now actively exploring the market for a new right-back/right-wing-back.
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That is music to the ears of Manchester City, who apparently do not share Chelsea’s concerns about the French international. Neither does Liverpool, who made a loan offer for Gusto on deadline day this summer.
Our insider Graeme Bailey recently broke the news that City are preparing a big bid for Gusto in January. Bailey did stress that a transfer depends on City still being able to spend money following the appeal of the verdict on 114 out of 115 FFP charges.
Chelsea have lowered their asking price for Gusto from £75 million – but the world record for a right-back is well below £57 million (Achraf Hakimi to PSG). Sources tell us that a transfer would cost at least £50 million. And depending on how hard Chelsea negotiate, Gusto could become the world’s most expensive right-back if he goes to City.
Fofana – £75 million without delivering
The other player Jones claims Chelsea are considering getting rid of is Fofana – who cost £75 million (including bonuses) when he joined from Leicester. That’s the same price Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk. It’s safe to say that Fofana hasn’t had one percent of the impact on Stamford Bridge that Van Dijk has had at Anfield.
Jones stated: “Fofana also faces an uncertain future. Our sources reveal that the centre-back is in danger of losing his place at Chelsea in 2027, while the club continues to assess how to upgrade the back row.”
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