Chelsea’s academy has played a huge role in their success over the years, with numerous players who have come through the ranks having a huge impact on the first-team squad.
Enzo Maresca has done a superb job of implementing such talents into his side, aiding them in their quest to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League this season.
Reece James has taken the armband when fit this campaign, featuring 15 times in the league and playing a key role in their hopes of claiming a Europa Conference League title in the coming weeks.
Tyrique George is another star who’s staked his claim in recent weeks, scoring a crucial goal against Fulham to put the side level before eventually going on to win the important clash.
However, despite the success of the youth department, the hierarchy have often dipped into the transfer market, looking to do just that again ahead of the summer window.
Chelsea’s pursuit of landing a new defender this summer
Over the last couple of weeks, Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen has emerged as a key target for Chelsea in their ambitions of tightening up their defence in 2025/26.
The Spaniard has huge admirers, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United just a handful of other outfits also in the race for the 20-year-old star.
His £50m release clause could be a potential bargain, but the Blues may look elsewhere to improve their defence, given the other parties interested in his signature.
According to TEAMtalk, Maresca’s side are plotting a £40m summer move for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, just four years after they sold him for £18m.
The report claims that the hierarchy are monitoring his progress very closely, potentially landing him for a cut-price deal given that his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.
Why Chelsea’s CB target would be a huge upgrade on Colwill
Centre-back Levi Colwill is just another player in a long list of Chelsea stars who have come through the Cobham academy, making his mark within the first-team setup at Stamford Bridge.
The 22-year-old has racked up 65 appearances for his boyhood club since his debut in 2023, becoming a regular starter within Maresca’s backline in recent months.
Whilst the England international has registered one goal and is playing an important role in their nine clean sheets this campaign, he’s come under fire for his showings in recent weeks.
He’s been labelled “terrible” by journalist Japtej Ghura as a result of his performances, potentially putting his place at the heart of the defence in danger ahead of 2025/26.
There’s no denying that he still has bags of time to develop, but a move for Guehi during the off-season could allow the manager to land an upgrade on the academy graduate.
When comparing their respective figures from the ongoing campaign, the Palace star has massively outperformed Colwill in various key areas – highlighting what a superb addition he would be for the Blues.
Guehi, who’s been labelled “sensational” by content creator Ollie Thomas, has registered more combined goals and assists, offering the side an added attacking threat despite his defensive role.
Games played
32
31
Goals & assists
5
2
Tackles made
1.8
1.2
Blocks made
1.7
1.1
Clearances made
4.6
3.1
Aerials won
60%
59%
Interceptions made
1
0.3
However, he’s been just as impressive at the back, winning more tackles, registering more blocks and more clearances per 90 – certainly bolstering the options at the manager’s disposal.
He’s also won more aerial battles in 2024/25, offering more solidity in the backline, massively bolstering Maresca’s chances of taking the side back to the top of the Premier League.
It’s unclear how much the Eagles would demand to part ways with their captain this summer, but it’s evident that he would be a huge catalyst in their chances of success.
It may be a brutal call to drop Colwill for Guehi, but if the Blues are to return to the summit of the division, huge decisions need to be made, with a move for the England international one that has to be completed.
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