Chelsea Enters Pursuit of £30M AC Milan Defender, Rivaling Manchester City

Chelsea has joined the competition to acquire an ‘outstanding’ defender, alongside two Premier League rivals, according to recent reports. As the summer transfer window approaches, it’s becoming evident that the Blues are looking to enhance their defensive lineup.

While Chelsea has shown interest in AFC Bournemouth’s young center-back Dean Huijsen, competition from Real Madrid may complicate their pursuit. This has led the London club to consider other options, including versatile Barcelona defender Jules Kounde.

Despite having Reece James and Malo Gusto in their ranks, Chelsea appears to be seeking alternatives to Marc Cucurella at left-back. Reports from Spain suggest that Chelsea has now entered the race for AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez, who is also being targeted by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Hernandez’s contract with AC Milan runs until 2026, but the Italian club may consider selling this summer. The French defender’s estimated value is around £30 million, which seems reasonable given his proven track record in Serie A.

Hernandez: A Potential Upgrade to Cucurella

While Cucurella has shown offensive prowess this season with four goals and two assists in the Premier League, Hernandez could potentially offer even more attacking threat. The 27-year-old has an impressive record of 34 goals and 45 assists in 256 appearances for Milan.

Hernandez’s statistics are particularly notable when compared to other players in his position:

• Non-penalty goals: 0.10 (80th percentile)
• Shot-creating actions: 3.83 (98th percentile)
• Progressive carries: 3.34 (92nd percentile)

Scouts and media have praised Hernandez, with some describing him as ‘probably the best’ attacking left-back in the world and noting his ‘incredible speed’. At the reported price of £30 million, Hernandez could prove to be an excellent acquisition for Chelsea as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.