Chelsea Delt Blow as Manchester City Rebuff Approach

It is clear to absolutely anybody who watched even one Chelsea game last season that reinforcements are needed in the centre of defence. Just one solitary game would have told you everything you need to know.

Although, with a full pre-season behind him, Levi Colwill will hopefully epitomise the "like a new signing" cliche next season, it is clear that signings will be needed to be made in that area. 

There have already been links to a few names. For example, Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace and the France national team, as well as Jacobo Ramon of Como, and other names. 

Well, one name we can probably rule out at this stage is Ruben Dias of Manchester City and Portugal. Indeed so, as English media outlet teamtalk are reporting that Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all "explored the possibility" of signing Dias this summer", but City's stance that he is not for sale has been made well and truly clear.

They point to the fact that Dias signed a contract as recently as last year, and is seen as a cornerstone of City's squad. That deal expires in 2029, so there is certainly no immediate pressure to sell. 

It would have been very interesting to see how the Portuguese international would have fitted in, had any signing been done. Although he has played in a four at the back and a high line throughout his time at The Etihad, perhaps it could have been another suggestion that Xabi Alonso would be using a three at the back. 

The 29-year old would be perfect in the middle of a back three. He is not the most mobile or quickest of players, but is very good at defending his own box and playing him alongside two athletic wide defenders would have been perfect, in the same way Alonso used Jonathan Tah - now of Bayern Munich - during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, a player of a very similar profile. 

Still, we can knock this one off early, assuming this report is correct. Let's hope that there is a long list of central defenders that the club are looking at this summer, because you'd imagine two will be needed to sign. Two new signings and Colwill would be pretty good, especially with one game a week. But let's wait and see what happens, we will keep you updated with everything you need to know here at Roundtable.