21 Jan 2026 17:14:48
Dear Ed001, I hope you're well! I just wanted to ask your opinion on transformational centre-back signings. VVD was obviously the one for Liverpool, took them from being a decent but inconsistent team to title contenders. At the time it seemed mad that he wasn't being chased by all the biggest teams as he was incredible at Southampton. City had Kompany, and Dias has also been pretty immense for them. Arsenal have got Saliba and Gabriel (Saliba wasn't exactly a new signing, as they had him but he was out on loan for a few years, and I feel like I remember there was a moment when he might actually have left Arsenal when Arteta continually refused to recall him from loan/play him? ) . Silva was obviously a big one for Chelsea, just a couple of years older than one would like. But if it was possible to make that signing right now its impact would be immense in this team – his professionalism, character and experience, but also his ability to marshall a back line.
I guess the question is: which current CBs who might realistically be for sale, from the Prem or otherwise, do you think could have that kind of transformational impact on this current Chelsea team? We're obviously intent on signing a young and highly rated Ligue 1 player for big money, because that's what we do now, but I'd be looking at van de Ven at Spurs (realistically probably wouldn't sell to us, although Levi isn't there any longer so maybe) .
Can't think of too many other players who'd be available and might make that level of difference. Obviously tried for Dean Huijsen, who's a very, very good player, but he hadn't had a huge amount of top-flight experience, and picked Madrid (no idea how he's doing there, aside from picking up a few red cards in his first games) . Is there anyone I'm missing from further afield?
{Ed001's Note - van de Ven is awful. He has no positional sense or defensive knowledge, he is just quick, but not a good defender. Good on the ball but woeful at defending.
By the way VVD was wanted by everyone, but he rejected them. City did their usual and claimed he was too expensive and so they didn't want him, but he had already said no thanks at that point. He had already decided he wanted to play for Klopp.
There are not that many great centre-backs around to be honest. You have Colwill, if he gets back to his best, you just need a partner for him, which rules out the likes of Bastoni (though he probably wouldn't leave Italy) and Murillo. van Hecke is good, but not sure if he is quite as good as you are talking about. I like Thiaw but I can't see Newcastle selling him. Maybe Ballard could step up? Good age, just coming to his peak, big and powerful, a good foil for Colwill and would surely be within reach financially?}
21 Jan 2026 18:04:25
Ed001, interesting response. I hope Colwill can get get back to his best quickly. It was a shame his injury happened just when he was reaching his full potential: bad timing for him and us and probably England.
I too like Thiaw and Ballard but because of their ages and that they are Premier League proven means they won’t end up at Chelsea. Incidentally, I think the Sunderland keeper is pretty good as well.
{Ed001's Note - Roefs does look good, and their left-sided centre-back Alderete, though he is 29, have to wonder where he was befor!}
21 Jan 2026 19:28:42
Van de Ven? do me a favour, he is utter rubbish.
And VVD was wanted by us and many more but chose Liverpool.
21 Jan 2026 20:02:48
Sorry, I haven't watched a lot of Spurs this season – assumed he was decent due to highlights.
Thanks for the response Ed001, really interesting stuff.
21 Jan 2026 22:06:08
I think the lad from Forest looks good but not that impressed with many other CH’s in the premiership.
22 Jan 2026 09:51:21
I agree Tom, wechave the youngsters from Dortmond coming back at the end of the season, Sarr from Strasbourg, Colwill hopefully will have a pre-season.
I think the tome to look at CB's will be in the summer window as we need to move some on.