Chelsea have been one of the busiest clubs in the past two transfer windows. Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital's £4.25 billion takeover last May, over £600 million has been spent on new signings.
In that period, five new defenders have been recruited to bolster the back line at Stamford Bridge. Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly all arrived in the summer after Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger left before Benoit Badiashile and Malo Gusto followed in January.
The Blues are also blessed with quality in the wing-back positions with Reece James and Ben Chilwell two of the best in the Premier League. However, injury concerns over the past two seasons have meant alternatives have had to be signed in Cucurella and Gusto.
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Graham Potter is not short of centre-back options in west London, with Levi Colwill's return from his loan spell at Brighton expected to strengthen the defence further. However, with Thiago Silva (38) and Koulibaly (31) reaching the latter end of their career, the foundations have already been laid out for the future of Chelsea's defence.
Last summer, the Blues were interested in Peterborough United starlet Ronnie Edwards, according to the Peterborough Telegraph. The League One side managed to keep hold of their prospect, with chairman Darragh MacAnthony suggesting he was surprised that a move did not happen.
"He’s ice cool and he has so much going for him," he said. "I know some people like to point out his deficiencies, but show me a 19 year-old who doesn’t have them. Ronnie is as good as they come and it doesn’t matter where he goes he will be a success.
"The club that tried to buy him the most know they would make £40million plus on him in a couple of years. Average centre-backs can go for £60million.
"They tried to get in before the big boys come for Ronnie because they know they will. The other club interested in him said they will be back in January. Ronnie will be bought and in two and a half years he will be sold for £60million to £70million such is the current market for young centre-backs."
Edwards has continued his impressive upward trajectory with Posh this season, playing 32 times at the heart of Darren Ferguson's defence. The former Barnet man has won 73 percent of his ground duels while proving comfortable at playing out from the back with a 90 percent passing accuracy in his own half - via Sofascore.
Now, MacAnthony has urged Liverpool - who he supporters - to sign the 19-year-old, predicting the defender to have a 'great career'. Speaking on The Hard Truth Podcast, he said: “He’s going to have a great career. I’d love my club in the Premier League [Liverpool] to buy him.”
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