Chelsea are mulling over a summer swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion defender Adam Webster, with Thomas Tuchel keen on defensive reinforcements.
According to a report from Daily Mirror, Chelsea are in the market for Adam Webster. The Premier League giants are bracing themselves for a major defensive overhaul with a majority of their star players expected to leave Stamford Bridge.
In an attempt to bring back some quality into the team, Chelsea are eyeing a summer swoop for Webster. The Portsmouth academy product is currently one of the most sought-after defenders in the Premier League, having enjoyed immense success at Brighton & Hove Albion, under the leadership of Graham Potter.
Since joining the club in 2019, the imposing centre-back has racked up 80 competitive appearances for the club. He has impressed the onlookers with his firm defending technique, coupled with his ability to bring the ball out from the back. It has made him quite an asset for Brighton, who have produced a host of quality defenders in recent years including Ben White and Dan Burn, who are now playing elsewhere.
Webster may well turn out to be the next player to follow in their footsteps, especially amid interest from Chelsea. As iterated earlier, the reigning European champions are gearing up for a major defensive shakeup that could see Antonio Rudiger leave the club. The German international has been linked with a move to Manchester United, with his current deal at Stamford Bridge expiring at the end of the season.
Andreas Christensen is another player likely to leave Chelsea, along with influential leader Cesar Azpilicueta. Both the players have been linked with a move to Barcelona, and their potential departures could create a massive void in the club’s defensive unit.
In an attempt to add to mitigate the losses, Chelsea have reportedly expressed interest in Juventus superstar Matthijs de Ligt. However, it appears Thomas Tuchel is also looking for proven Premier League quality and that is where Adam Webster comes into the fray.
The 27-year-old has been a consistent performer under Potter in recent years and his technical skill could make him an ideal reinforcement option for the Chelsea backline. However, as is the case with any Brighton defender, the player could cost a fortune, especially with his current long-term contract that doesn’t expire until 2026.
It may force the Blues to set their sights on other alternatives. It will be interesting to see if the European champions enter the race to sign Borussia Dortmund centre-back Manuel Akanji, who is expected to leave the club in the summer and has been linked with a move to Manchester United lately.
