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TIGHTEN UP

Five transfers Chelsea must look at including Koulibaly and Vertonghen to solve defence with Kepa replacement not vital

CHELSEA have had a reasonably good season so far when you take all things into account.

Frank Lampard’s first season as a manager in the top flight, losing our best and most creative player in Eden Hazard, and not being able to sign anyone in the transfer market.

 Frank Lampard needs to solve Chelsea's defensive issues this summer
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Frank Lampard needs to solve Chelsea's defensive issues this summerCredit: PA:Press Association

Lampard has lead his team to moments of brilliance this season and they have shown a fluid and fast attacking setup.

However, the one major flaw we have seen so far is the defence.

Chelsea have conceded the third most goals inside the top 11 in the Premier League so far this season, nine more than Manchester United who are one place below them.

This spells out a major need to tighten up at the back and not just heavily rely on our attack to get enough goals to win.

Here are the two pressing issues that we need to fix.

GOALKEEPER

 Chelsea should keep faith with Kepa Arrizabalaga for one more season
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Chelsea should keep faith with Kepa Arrizabalaga for one more seasonCredit: AFP or licensors

I AM not necessarily saying sell Kepa Arrizabalaga, because I actually think he is a decent goalkeeper.

But where his game lets him down and where Lampard needs to see major improvements is his ability to come for crosses and command his box.

Kepa isn’t the biggest goalkeepers, but that shouldn’t be an issue.

When Lampard dropped him for a few games we saw a different Kepa when he came back.

He started coming for more crosses, and he was more in charge of his backline, which is exactly what the boss wants from his number one stopper.

If Kepa does not show these improvements, Lampard will soon look to replace him with a more commanding and dominant goalkeeper, one who shows full confidence and leadership from the back.

CENTRE-BACK

 Napoli ace Kalidou Koulibaly would be a great case for Chelsea's defence
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Napoli ace Kalidou Koulibaly would be a great case for Chelsea's defenceCredit: Getty - Contributor

NOW this is where we do need to see a new arrival.

It is clear by the fact that Lampard has constantly rotated his four current options that he is not overly sold with any of them. That isn’t saying that any of them are bad players, but none of them are stand out enough as it stands.

Fikayo Tomori is the youngest and has the ability to become that stand out centre back, but he is not there yet.

Neither is Andreas Christensen, despite showing great improvements this season.

Antonio Rudiger is rather aimless with his leadership, but at least he does have some.

He is also a bit rash and is not calm enough on the ball despite being a decent defender.

Kurt Zouma is a fantastic defender but still shows uncertainty on the ball at times.

The answer is similar to the goalkeeper situation, Lampard needs a more experienced and dominant centre back, one with some leadership and sound organisational skills.

Chelsea need their Virgil van Dijk. He literally came into that Liverpool squad and changed them, stopped them conceding as many goals and really made the difference.

Lampard needs exactly that. But obviously we cannot sign van Djik, so who might be available that fits that bill?

The obvious answer is 28-year old Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, a player whom Chelsea are constantly linked with signing.

 Chelsea should consider a free transfer for Spurs stalwart Jan Vertonghen
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Chelsea should consider a free transfer for Spurs stalwart Jan VertonghenCredit: Getty Images - Getty

This is who we should push for this summer as a priority signing.

If we can’t get him, then we need a centre back of similar calibre. A few that come to mind....

Stefan de Vrij from Inter. Although he would be difficult to sign and he is enjoying his time under Antonio Conte.

Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig is young, but he is quickly growing into the exact type of centre back that Lampard needs, probably quite a gettable target as well.


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Jonathan Tah is another centre back I have admired, but he also causes some doubts over his ability and I probably wouldn’t take a risk on him now.

Finally, Jan Vertonghen would fit perfectly, and despite being 33-years old, signing him would be risk-free due to the fact he becomes a free agent next month.

He could be the short term fix whilst the likes of Tomori and Christensen develop further.

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