Chelsea First Team Squad Situation: Part II – Defender

Earlier this month, I wrote about  Chelsea First Team Squad Situation on goalkeeper. This very time, I’m going to write about another position: defender.
Some of us might think we need to strengthen this area, and some other might not since we have many defensive players on loan. It brings us to a very interesting debate as Paulo Ferreira, who didn’t play on regular basis, already left the club. That means, we have to replace him (either from youngster or signing new player) and it’d be better if it’s an improvement rather than just squad player. As usual, I’m only write names that I feel they’re ready for Chelsea first team experience. Let’s not talk much and start looking at our disposal.
1) Available Players:
John Terry
Captain, leader, legend. Enough to describe his character but it’s not enough to convince Jose Mourinho to play him every week. He’s not as good as he was due to his age. Game-wise, he’s now replaceable but he’s still an important figure in dressing room and has enormous influence. I personally would love to see him stay for a year or two.
Gary Cahill
After £7m move from Bolton Wanderer, Cahill provided valuable depth to our defensive area. He’s a decent defender since then, probably our 4th choice center back in our current squad. If he could improve his positioning, he would establish himself as the best CB in England since he already has powerful physical tools and his determination to attempt last-ditch play are great things to watch. Selling him for £20m is too good to refuse though. But it’s highly unlikely.
David Luiz
Probably the best center back we have at the moment who also very versatile. He’s also a ball-playing defender who can also deliver mouth-watering passes. Inconsistency and his love of going forward sometimes causing problems to his teammates. Barcelona were rumoured to be interested with his service but I don’t want any kind of transfer unless Barcelona willing to pay £50m + …. little Argentinian (no, not Mascherano).
Branislav Ivanovic
The Serbian Tank is my favorite defender at the moment. He’s strong, versatile, and also made a good combination with Luiz-Ivanovic duo last season. I don’t want to see him leaving as he’s still under contract until 2016. Fruitful years to come.
Nathan Ake
Our very own talented. If we keep him next season as 1st team backup, I firmly believe that his development would be disrupted. Give him minutes by sending him to Vitesse on loan is the best option.
Tomas Kalas
He’s very talented defender who can play as right back and center back. He had an impressive loan spell at Vitesse and I feel that he needs to further his step to a higher level. Last season, I heard that Steve Clarke was watching few Vitesse games accompanied by some West Brom’s scouts. If Steve Clarke is serious in acquiring him on season-long loan, that can only be good for all parties.
Kenneth Omeruo
Omeruo had fine experiences with Nigeria national team especially when he kept Edinson Cavani (who was terrible that time) at his pocket in Confederations Cup. He also took part in Nigeria’s victory in AFCON. He’s undoubtedly still raw and need more game time but if Chelsea don’t sign anyone, then he should be available and get some minutes as rotation. He’s versatile too that he can play as center back and full back.
Jeffrey Bruma
Bruma was touted as Chelsea’s future CB because he was so good when he was younger. It was all but ruined after he failed to impress during his loan spell at HSV. His former club PSV seem interested to get him back and so do I. Let him leave for around £3m would be ideal. Else, if the club still think he has future at Stamford Bridge, sending him on loan to Vitesse would be another fine option as he’s still under contract until 2014.
Ashley Cole
Just  signed 1-year extension so nothing much to say.
Patrick Van Aanholt
PVA was so good during his loan at Vitesse but with Cole signed new extension, his future at Chelsea is doubtful. Honestly, I’s like to see him as rotation for Cole as that guy is getting older and slower. Beside, he’s also slightly, if not much, a better player than Ryan Bertrand. However, it’s uneccessary to have 3 left back in 25-man squad. If the club is going to sacrifice him, then I expect no less than £7m.
Ryan Bertrand
Decent player with average season with Chelsea so far. After his stunning debut in CL final, he’s struggling to level himself with Ashley Cole. I don’t really think he’s ready to compete against Cole at the moment but he’s more a backup player. As he’s an Englishman, his price tag shouldn’t be low as some English Clubs would be interested to buy him and fill homegrown slots.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta currently the best full back at Chelsea squad. He does well in both offense and defense. His exquisite performance last season in Chelsea shirt established himself as Spain first choice right back. That said, he’s an important first team player for The Blues. However, there’s a rumour linking him with a move to Fiorentina that we can have a laugh at.
2) Players Linked
Eliaquim Mangala
Mangala is one of the most exciting prospect from French along with the well-known Raphael Varane. He has the tools to be world class CB but he needs consistency to be as good as Varane. He’s still 21 and still have so much to prove and to improve. However, Porto reluctant to release him unless there’s any club willing to pay his buyout clause, which is around £50m.
Kurt Zouma
Another French youngster. A really promising youngster but it’s hard to imagine him playing regularly as he’s not really an improvement to our current CBs. Much like Mangala, he has potential too to become world’s best.  Signing him isn’t really necessary at the moment but in the next 3-4 years, I believe he would be a real gem. Nevertheless, I’m not really sure that he’s what Jose Mourinho wants. Much like a long term prospect target by Emenalo.
Fabio Coentrao
Unhappy guy at Real Madrid. One of the reasons is surely because there’s a better left back in Marcelo. He’s versatile and looks like he’ll follow Jose Mourinho to leave Bernabeu but there’s no concrete deal with any club at the moment. He’s a better left back than Ashley Cole at the moment so if he joins Chelsea, he would become fine improvement.
Raphael Varane
And here he is, currently the best center back in the world I can say, playing in the biggest team in the world (in terms of how many Champions League Trophies collected). With that in mind, it’s difficult to see him leaving Santiago Bernabeu, which no need any financial support by selling their best defender.
Marquinhos
Marquinhos, not Marquinho (both are Brazilians and both play in AS Roma), is the most exciting youngster in Serie A last season. He’s so solid that I didn’t noticed that he’s still 19. For a defender, he’s so mature with or without the ball although for a center back, he’s not so powerful and not so tall. I can say he’s on the same level with Varane in terms of concentration, decision, and positioning. Buying him for £20m is acceptable to me, but AS Roma unwilling to sell him for less than £30m.
Raphael Varane
And here he is, currently the best center back in the world I can say, playing in the biggest team in the world (in terms of how many Champions League Trophies collected). With that in mind, it’s difficult to see him leaving Santiago Bernabeu, which no need any financial support by selling their best defender.
Luke Shaw
The Southampton’s wonderkid has impressed many clubs after his stellar debut in Premier League at just 17 year old. For a kid of his age, I have to admit he’s special. He’s even better than Ryan Bertrand. His passion to play for The Blues is also a reason why we should sign him for the future. However, at such tender age with no first team guarantee by manager, buying him would destroy his development. Chelsea are in no rush to sign him but if they do, I think the best option is to let him play for Southampton on loan for another year. I rate him high so spending £10m for this kid is acceptable.
Kyriakos Papadopoulos
Kyriakos, as reported by some German media, is long linked by The Blues since 2010. He’s a solid defender who still has more to come. A regular starter at Schalke this season gives us reason why we’re linked with him. I haven’t watched him quite a lot last season but in several games I watched, I personally think he could be our 2nd or 3rd choice defender at the moment. That’s without saying how good he can be in the next years since he’s only 21.
3) Conclusion and Expectations
It’s believed that Roman Abramovich provides Jose Mourinho with £100m transfer kitty, I personally think we shouldn’t spend 1/3 of the money just to sign a defender despite there are many options in the market. Not that I say I’m satisfied with our defensive play recently but if we don’t buy a quality one, buying an only squad player would only waste of money. Since quality youngsters like Varane, Mangala, and Marquinhos won’t be availabe for cheap, I would prefer to promote Kenneth Omeruo to first team. He’s not gonna claim regular place at Chelsea now but he surely an upgrade to his predecessor Paulo Ferreira.
In case of emergency, we still have Andreas Christensen who’s still 17 year old but highly rated by the club and our very own leader John Terry. But if the club decide to buy someone, I expect it’s Marquinhos for £20m. It’s almost impossible to sign Varane at the moment and it’s annoying to have business with FC Porto so it would be great to see two Brazilians dancing in our heart of defense.