Chelsea need help defensively, and they know it.
While most of the current transfer rumors surrounding Chelsea have been about Kai Havertz, the most important signing the Blues need to make is a dominant centre-back.
Chelsea have the joint-worst defensive record out of any team in the top half of the Premier League and have shipped in more goals this season than 14th-place Crystal Palace.
Goals have hardly been the problem this season, and with the incoming arrivals of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, and maybe even Havertz this does not seem to be changing anytime soon.
The main issue this season is the alarming number of clean sheets, only 7, and goals conceded, 46, which means that Chelsea have had to score with regularity just to balance out their poor defensive play.
They have only won 1-0 once all season, which showcases their inability to see out close games with a solid defence. Those nervy 1-0 wins, and the ability to do whatever it takes to get those wins, are the hallmark of any title winner.
That is why if Chelsea want to challenge for the Premier League trophy next year, they must fix their defence. A left-back and a centre-back are needed, but the most critical component is that new centre-back, who makes up part of the spine of the team.
Manager Frank Lampard needs to find his own Virgil Van Dijk, who transformed newly-crowned champions Liverpool into the world-beaters they are today.
With that in mind, here are some options for Chelsea to sign in the summer.