Chelsea FC has been busy the past days, trying to make the club more competitive. Most have probably heard about the coming of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig although that has yet to officially be sealed. Unless a sudden turn of events happens, the German striker is likely to be playing at Stamford Bridge next season.
Frank Lampard pulled it off after secretly flying to Germany to speak with Werner. That move practically sealed the deal. They jumped the gun on Liverpool, the time widely tipped to sign the 24-year-old player. There are more players linked to the Blues. But if former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf is to be heard, the Blues may want to start considering defensive players. One potential target could be Kalidou Koulibay of S.S.C. Napoli.
Should Lampard consider LeBoeuf’s suggestion, the Blues will find itself in another race against Liverpool. The Reds have also been linked to the 28-year-old defender although there is a chance The Reds may fold as well. In the case of Werner, Jurgen Klopp pointed out how the club is dealing with financial difficulties like most clubs. If that holds up, Liverpool may also pass up on Koulibay if some other team beats them to him. The good news for Klopp is that the Senegal national has not indicated any interest in heading to Stamford Bridge. But things could change this summer if Lampard wills it.
For Leboeuf, Koulibay is a perfect fit to join the Blues. He prefers to see the French defender play for Chelsea, believing he would be joining a winning team. Aside from Liverpool, a team widely linked to Koulibay is Manchester United. The Red Devils have gotten their share of struggles. But with their regular stars like Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba returning, things could be different starting the resumption of the current season.
Regardless, LeBoeuf feels that Koulibay should join a team headed towards a winning direction which is Chelsea. But before that can happen, Koulibay and Lampard need to show mutual interest. As of this writing, nothing close to that has happened.
"I think Chelsea will need a player like that. I don't know if Koulibaly will be interested, but even if they have two very good central defenders, Koulibaly I think belongs to another level and would fit very well," Leboeuf said in an interview with ESPN FC.
For now, Lampard needs to work on the contract of his current players and some targets that are within reach. Koulibay could enter the picture after this season. That is if mutual interest is established – likely by the summer.
