Chelsea’s defence has been one of the leakiest out of the top clubs in the Premier League this season.
Frank Lampard’s side have conceded 39 times in the league, the worst out of the top seven, while the Blues boss has moved things around constantly at the back.
There has been a switch to three in defence, with different combinations of centre-backs, while there has rarely been a settled back four.
So when it comes to the summer, it is certainly going to be one of the areas where Lampard and the backroom staff look to make some changes.
But what could the Blues’s defence look like next season?
Right-back
It’s unlikely that Chelsea will be hot in the market for a right-back this summer, with the new deal for Reece James committing his long-term future.
The 20-year-old is seen as the future of the club in the position and will likely get more playing time in the role come the 2020/21 season.
Of course, Cesar Azpilicueta is still likely to play a big role in the side, with the club captain having shown his worth for the Blues once again.
There have been rumours of a move for Real Madrid’s Achraf Hakimi, after impressing on loan at Borussia Dortmund, but there will be more pressing transfer issues for the Blues.
Left-back
This is one of the positions which is going to be under some scrutiny this summer with the futures of Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri in doubt.
Despite playing a big part in the early part of the season, Emerson has struggled to get back into the starting XI, or even the playing squad.
Alonso has won his place back with some decent performances, especially when he has been moved back into his more suited wing-back role.
However, the move to putting Cesar Azpilicueta over to the left has shown that the position is certainly not secure right now.
There have been plenty of links already, with Alex Telles and Ben Chilwell being the leaders in contention to join.
Chilwell is likely to be a difficult transfer to happen, however. Leicester City and Brendan Rodgers are not willing to let him go, and the only thing which would prise him away is a mega fee.
Telles is a different option, having more experience but would also be a cheaper transfer from Porto.
Centre-back
Chelsea’s defence has not been the strongest this season, and while Kepa Arrizabalaga has been looked at, the centre-back role will be looked at as well.
Fikayo Tomori has signed a new long-term deal and, like James, is seen as a future star for the Blues.
Antonio Rudiger remains the most experienced defender that Lampard has in the role, so there is likely to be a lot on his shoulders next season.
The question marks are probably going to be on Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen and where their futures might lie.
Christensen’s current deal runs out in 2022, with Zouma’s expiring the following summer, so there is to be a decision to be made.
One name that has been linked strongly is Gabriel Magalhaes, who could be seen as a viable option due to his left-foot.
Tactically, having a left-footer in the squad could help the defence in a ball-playing capacity
It’s one of the reasons Nathan Ake has been looked at as well, but it is unlikely the Blues will go back for their former player.
