- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands Chelsea are working on a new central defender and their scouts were checking on Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande at the weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino guided his Chelsea team to a 3-2 win over Newcastle United on Monday night, with Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella making up his backline.
HITC has been informed that the Blues’ footballing department have instructed their leading scouts to concentrate a sizeable amount of their time on defensive targets, but not just a new left-back, but also another central defender.
Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande is already on their radar. Chelsea have watched him numerous times this season and HITC understands they observed him again on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim’s side, who are sitting top of the Primeira Liga table, secured a 3-0 win over Arouca to maintain their one-point lead at the top of the table.
Ousmane Diomande, who has played 18 league games this season, played the entire match and also recently won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.
The 20-year-old started the first two matches, before failing to make an appearance after that, with the host nations going on to win African football’s biggest prize.
Who else is on Chelsea’s transfer radar?
Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Lille’s Leny Yoro, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and French pair Jean-Clair Todibo and Jules Kounde are just some of the names being considered by Chelsea.
The man trying to help Sean Dyche and Everton avoid relegation will be most known to the Chelsea fans.
The Euro 2024 hopeful has been outstanding at the back for the Toffees and will be hoping to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for England’s upcoming internationals against Brazil and Belgium.
If that maiden call-up arrives, then it wouldn’t be a surprise if it further boosts Branthwaite’s status.
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