Chelsea to sign wonderkid centre-back - Fabrizio Romano

Tom Weber

Updated: 15 Sept 2025 17:55 BST
4 min read

Chelsea are planning to sign a young centre-back in 2026, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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The Blues are coming off a busy summer window that saw them add nine players permanently and Facundo Buonanotte on loan. Chelsea's signings were primarily attackers, although defenders Mamadou Sarr and Jorrel Hato also joined.

However, the former was sent back to Strasbourg on loan, while the latter is not viewed as a centre-back by head coach Enzo Maresca. Eyebrows were therefore raised when Chelsea refrained from adding a centre-back when Levi Colwill suffered an ACL injury.

Current ETV

Levi Colwill

D (C)

Chelsea

Levi Colwill

D (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€52.1M - €63.6M

Maresca had requested that a new player capable of filling Colwill's specific role be brought in, but the club hierarchy opted to back the current options in the squad, seeing as though Chelsea had to finish the window with a positive balance due to breaching UEFA's financial rules.

In recent days, it has been claimed that the Stamford Bridge outfit will be 'ruthless' in 2026 should defensive frailties emerge in the coming months, and Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that Chelsea are indeed on the lookout for a new centre-back.

Chelsea to sign centre-back in 2026

Speaking on his Here We Go podcast, Romano revealed that the Blues are scouting for potential 'opportunities' at centre-back, with a primary focus on talented youngsters.

"They are looking at potential opportunities at centre-back," he explained. "Chelsea never wanted to sign a new centre-back in the summer, even after the injury of Levi Colwill, because they believe they have depth.

"But when it's about talents - so young players, not opportunities in terms of a loan or this sort of thing - but if there is some young player with good quality, for Chelsea it's always time for a good opportunity.

"So, they are tracking some players, especially abroad, outside of England, keeping a close eye on some opportunities. Now, it's still early, it's still September, but Chelsea are always very active and attentive to the market."

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