Ten players Chelsea could sign if David Luiz is sold this summer.
10. Marquinhos (Roma)
Marcos Aoas Caorrea, more commonly known by his nickname Marquinhos, only moved to European football last summer when he joined Roma from Brazilian side Corinthians. After just one season, he has been one of the best defenders in Serie A, and is already being closely watched by Chelsea and Manchester City.
The 19-year-old is a far more natural defender than his compatriot David Luiz, whom Mourinho is not keen on due to his tendancy to forgo his defensive duties and bomb forward to join the attack. Marquinhos looks much more like Mourinho’s kind of player, and has impressed this season with his maturity and discipline.
He is not the tallest for a centre-back, but he looks to have the physical and mental strength to handle the challenge of the Premier League, and would be a great long-term option for Chelsea as he is still very young. As already mentioned, the Blues are known to be monitoring his situation, and may move for him this summer depending on what happens with Luiz and with their other potential targets.
9. Pepe (Real Madrid)
Pepe has developed into one of the world’s top centre-backs under the guidance of Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. Now that the Portuguese coach has left the Bernabeu to return to Stamford Bridge, Pepe might be tempted to follow. Mourinho has been linked with a number of his former players at Real, and though Pepe might not be the best long-term option at the age of 30, his quality and experience would suit Chelsea well.
With Real Madrid being one of the clubs said to be considering a move for Luiz, a swap deal could take place involving these two players, and that would arguably suit both sides best, as Real would be landing themselves a more exciting and versatile player, while Chelsea would get the more solid and reliable option they desire.
Manchester City have also been linked with a move for Pepe this summer, as another former Real Madrid boss, Manuel Pellegrini, is keen to reunite with him at his new post at the Etihad Stadium. He is valued by the Spanish giants at around £20million.
8. Nicolas N’Koulou (Marseille)
Cameroon international Nicolas N’Koulou has emerged as one of the best defenders currently playing in Ligue 1, showing some excellent form this season to guide Marseille to a runners-up spot behind champions PSG. The 23-year-old is a strong, pacey and athletic defender, who can also play at right-back. He has all the qualities to succeed in England, and his versatility and youth will appeal to Mourinho as he looks to build a new team.
The player himself has admitted he is likely to leave Marseille for a bigger club this summer, and they may struggle to keep hold of him as he stalls on a new contract offer and continues to attract interest from the likes of Arsenal, who made enquiries about the player in January. Chelsea were also linked earlier in the year, though it is unknown if they would continue their interest with Mourinho at the helm.
7. Aleksandar Dragovic (Basel)
Aleksandar Dragovic came up against Chelsea in the Europa League semi-finals this year, and though he was on the losing side to the Blues, he had an impressive campaign overall in the competition, producing good performances against Tottenham in the quarter-finals that saw him linked with the club, as well as with their rivals Arsenal.
The 22-year-old Austrian international would certainly be worth considering for Chelsea as well, as they could use not only a replacement for David Luiz if he leaves, but a long-term successor to John Terry in the centre of their defence. Dragovic certainly has the potential to develop into one of the game’s top defenders under the guidance of Mourinho, and already has that winning experience with Basel, having won three league titles in a row with the Swiss side.
He may be one of the cheaper options out there in this summer’s transfer market, and Chelsea would be wise to beat their rivals to his signing, as he could become a crucial player for whichever side he joins.
6. Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke)
One of, if not the best young defender in the Bundesliga at the moment is 21-year-old Greek international Kyriakos Papadopoulos. Chelsea have supposedly already expressed an interest in the player, and they may have to act fast as he is being eyed up by other big-spending clubs such as PSG and Zenit St Petersburg. AC Milan were also in for him when they sold Thiago Silva.
Needless to say, Papadopoulos is a player with great potential, and he is unlikely to be with Schalke for much longer. Chelsea would be wise to renew their interest in the player, as he already looks like a better option than David Luiz.
As an added bonus, the former Olympiakos man has shown the Luiz-like knack for scoring goals, with an impressive tally of 5 in 2011/12, as well as four in just thirteen appearances for the Greek national team.
5. Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)
Another of the finest centre-backs in Europe this season was Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin. The Uruguayan has become a crucial part of Diego Simeone’s side, helping them to an impressive third-placed finish in La Liga. No individual player has kept more clean sheets (19) than Godin this season, highlighting his importance to their defensive performances.
Manchester City are said to be keen on the 27-year-old, as new manager Manuel Pellegrini worked with him during their time together at Villareal. Still, Chelsea have the financial power to compete with City, and could certainly do much worse than this solid and intelligent central defender.
He has helped Atletico punch above their weight with wins in the Europa League, Copa Del Rey and the Super Cup, and it could be time for him to show his potential on the bigger stage, and he looks like he could do a fine job for any top club in the Premier League.
4. Ezequiel Garay (Benfica)
Chelsea will have to act fast on this one, as Manchester United are understood to have made great progress in signing the Benfica star. Ezequiel Garay, formerly of Real Madrid, has showed himself to be one of Europe’s best centre-backs this season with his performances for the Portuguese side, whom he helped to the Europa League final this year.
Although it was Mourinho who did not give Garay much of a chance in his time at Real Madrid, he has improved since then with regular football, and it would be a big boost for Chelsea to beat their title rivals to the signing of such a quality player. The 26-year-old would cost around £17million and is an Argentine international.
3. Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)
Neven Subotic provided one of the most thrilling moments of this season’s Champions League final, as he prevented what looked like a certain goal with an incredible last-ditch goal-line challenge to deny opponents Bayern Munich.
The Serbian international has developed into one of the most solid defenders in the Bundesliga under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, but could be one of many players to leave the club this summer after their failure to win silverware. Although he was beaten in this year’s Champions League final, he is a proven winner with two Bundesliga titles, and is still only 24 years old.
Manchester United and Manchester City are said to be interested in him, and he is another perfect candidate to improve Chelsea’s back-line if David Luiz leaves the club.
2. Eliaquim Mangala (Porto)
Jose Mourinho is said to be a big fan of Porto youngster Eliaquim Mangala, who is fast becoming recognised as one of the best young defenders in Europe.
The French centre-back has just won his first cap at the age of 22 after a fantastic season with Porto, with whom he won the title. He has insisted he is not currently thinking about his future, but a big move seems inevitable for him sooner rather than later, as he looks made to play at the very highest level.
Mourinho rarely gets it wrong with defenders, and if he is as keen on Mangala as the rumours suggest, with offers close to £30million being mooted, then Chelsea will have themselves a very promising player on their hands next season.
1. Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Jose Mourinho handed Raphael Varane his debut for Spanish giants Real Madrid, and looks to have uncovered a real gem, as Varane has shown himself to be another very exciting young defender. Still only 20, he has produced man of the match displays against Barcelona and Lionel Messi this season, looking rock solid for Real at the back.
It seems likely that Mourinho will want to bring this key player with him to his new club, and Varane would also likely want to follow his mentor and continue his development under him. There’s no doubt Varane will soon be seen as one of the best centre-backs in the world, and would assure Chelsea of having a quality defence for many years to come.
Real Madrid will be keen to keep hold of their star youngster, but Chelsea should certainly consider requesting him in return for David Luiz, or even put in a big-money offer for him anyway, as he would likely be an improvement on many of the Blues’ current options anyway.