Chelsea target RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer

Chelsea ‘target RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol’, as a potential replacement for outgoing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer… as Thomas Tuchel draws up a list of defensive transfer targets

  • Chelsea are targeting RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol in the summer market
  • The Blues are expected to lose both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen
  • Boss Thomas Tuchel is also keeping tabs on Jules Kounde and Jose Gimenez

Chelsea are targeting RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol to replace the outgoing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer.

The 20-year-old defender is seen as a good option to play on the left side of a back three, in a similar position to which Rudiger currently plays for the Blues. 

German international Rudiger has reportedly agreed a new deal with Real Madrid while Christensen looks set to join Barcelona.

Chelsea are targeting RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol to replace departing defenders


Antonio Rudiger (left) and Andreas Christensen (right) are both set to leave Chelsea 

The loss of the two centre-backs means Thomas Tuchel has his work cut out to fill the voids in the summer.

Gvardiol has been earmarked as a top priority by Goal, but he is one of many on Tuchel’s list of potential replacements, including Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez.

The report also states the Blues have been tracking the defender since he broke through with the Croatian giants Dinamo.



Sevilla’s Jules Kounde (left), PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe (centre) and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez (right) are also on Chelsea’s transfer shortlist

Gvardiol, 20, is seen as a good option to play on the left side of a back three to replace Rudiger

They sent scouts to watch him personally on at least two occasions and have continued to monitor him from afar with their video and data-driven scouting systems.

Gvardiol, who has 10 caps for his country, moved to Leipzig in 2020 but remained on loan with Dinamo last term.

But this season he has established himself in the Bundesliga side’s first-team and helped them to reach the Europa League semi-final before they were dumped out by Rangers.

Gvardiol has established himself in the Bundesliga and helped Leipzig reach the Europa League semi-finals where they were dumped out by Scottish side Rangers

The youngster has previously outlined his ambition to play in England – although his dream was to head to Anfield instead of Stamford Bridge.

He admitted last year: ‘From a young age, I watched Liverpool games with my dad and I grew up with just them.

‘When I took football more seriously, I started following them, and I definitely want the Premier League and Liverpool move one day.’

Chelsea cannot currently make any new signings or complete fresh contract terms with existing players under the club’s UK Government sanctions.

The club’s sale should be complete later this month however, allowing Chelsea bosses to revert to business as usual – until completion boss Tuchel will have to wait as he targets two defensive replacements.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is keen to make two defensive signings to replace departures




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