Chelsea can’t compete with Liverpool for £50m summer target for two reasons | OneFootball

As Chelsea’s early season promise has faded away, the refrain has been repeated. While there are plenty of issues with our goalkeeper, striker, midfield and wingers, what’s needed in defence is clear.

While we have plenty of good players at centre back, none really stand out. There are a bunch of 7/10s, with weaknesses in different areas, but what’s needed more than four 7s is one 9 or 10.

Of course those aren’t easy to come by. But when you look at the teams top of the league, the physical and mental dominance of their central defenders is quite clearly what sets them apart. Gabriel and William Saliba at Arsenal are both superb, while Virgil Van Dijk at Liverpool has been the top central defender in the league over the last few years.

Chelsea have good options – but they don’t have a VVD. Despite all the money spent at the back, they still are going to need to pay a premium price for a premium defender before they can consider that area of the team complete.

One top defender who is still a little young to be considered an heir to Van Dijk, but definitely has the potential, is Dean Huijsen of Bournemouth.

Chelsea can no longer compete for elite options against table-topping reds

Dean Huijsen celebrates scoring against Manchester United. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

The problem for Chelsea here is that Liverpool are also interested. CaughtOffside today report that the Reds are also rubbing their hands at the 19 year old’s £50m release clause. Not too many years ago, we would have fancied Chelsea to win any tug of war with Liverpool. We could offer more money, and more chance of winning trophies. Now they clearly have the upper hand in terms of trophies, and given the new wage structure in place at Stamford Bridge, they are certainly able to match any financial incentives too.