Chelsea identify next transfer after Neville warning - but fear Man City hijack

23 October 2023 , 21:48

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Alessandro Bastoni is a transfer target for both Chelsea and Man City (Image: Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Chelsea and Manchester City are both monitoring a move for Inter defender and Italy international Alessandro Bastoni.

Having originally started his career at full-back, Bastoni has evolved into a central defender who has been key for club and country. The Italian starred as Inter reached last season’s Champions League final and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest central defenders.

Chelsea let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 against Arsenal on Saturday and while the Blues have undergone a notable squad transformation in the past year – with a virtually entirely unrecognisable squad from 15 months ago – the veteran defender Thiago Silva has been one of the few constants.

The oldest player in a youthful squad, Gary Neville highlighted the importance of Silva after Saturday’s clash but insisted that his age was problematic, with the Blues needing to find a long-term replacement: “I still think they've got a problem with Thiago Silva’s age. He's so important for them, but he is 39.”

Mauricio Pochettino has a range of central defenders at his disposal including relatively new arrivals Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana, while Levi Colwill is another option in the position. However, Silva remains the defensive lynchpin and his ultimate departure will require a replacement to be sought.

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A report from Calciomercato outlines how not only is Bastoni high on the radar of both Chelsea and Premier League rivals City, but Inter will be open to a deal in excess of £60million. The Nerazzurri still must sell players before they can buy and believe they can cash-in on the Italian.

As is sometimes the case with Chelsea, Inter deploy a three-man defence with Bastoni capable of occupying either the central role or the left-side. Inter are believed to have already lined up Torino defender Perr Schuurs such is their acceptance that the Italian will be moved on.

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Bastoni is a key figure in Inter's steely defence (DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Neville added in his Blues assessment that there are areas of the team that does give Pochettino encouragement. He added: "You can see that midfield, and in wide areas, they are bright. The full-backs, Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto, did well today. And they are the second-choice full-backs, by the way."

However, the Sky Sports pundit added that not only was Silva’s age a problem, but that Chelsea needed to incorporate a top-level striker while question marks remained over Robert Sanchez – signed this summer from Brighton.

Colin Millar