Chelsea keen to sign £40m centre-back also wanted by Liverpool

If there is one area where Chelsea need to improve this summer, it is their defence. The Blues have struggled defensively throughout the season. Levi Colwill’s injury clearly has unsettled them at the back. He is the best centre-back the club have, which has become clearer in his absence.

Enzo Maresca openly called for a centre-back to be signed in the summer but his request was not met. It had looked like Chelsea were going to rectify that error in the winter transfer window.

But after being linked with Jeremy Jacquet for weeks, and agreeing personal terms with him, they lost out on the race to Liverpool. Instead, Chelsea had to settle for recalling Mamadou Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg.

Sarr has not exactly established himself as a starter though. And it feels like a new starting centre-back is what Chelsea need in the summer transfer window. Once again, they might have to compete with Liverpool for the signature of one though.

Chelsea reportedly keen on signing Ecuadorian international centre-back

According to Sports Boom, Chelsea scouted Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge last year but after withdrawing their interest, they are expected to return to the bidding ring this summer. Also, Moses Caicaido could have a part to play in persuading his compatriot to move to Stamford Bridge rather than Anfield.

Ordonez is a name that has been doing the rounds of the Chelsea rumour mill for a little while now. Just like Caicedo and Kendry Paez, he came through the Independiente del Valle youth system. The club are known to produce some of the best Ecuadorian players. The centre-back certainly feels look set to establish himself as one of them.

Chelsea and Liverpool in race to sign Ordonez from Club Brugge

Since joining Club Brugge, Ordonez has become an integral part of the Belgian club’s first-team. But it only feels like a matter of time before he makes a move to a bigger European league.

Of course, it won’t be easy for Chelsea to pull off a move. Liverpool are tough competition. And one would expect more clubs to be involved if Ordonez does end up leaving Club Brugge in the summer, or at any point in the near future.

It is also worth mentioning that Chelsea recently agreed a deal with Independiente del Valle to sign Deinner Ordonez in 2028. Even though the two do share the same surname, play the same position and have come through the same youth system, they are not related.