We are likely to witness the end of an era at Chelsea at the end of the season and it indeed was Chelsea’s golden era. The Blues’ ‘captain, leader, legend’ John Terry’s contract is set to expire in the summer and it is unlikely that either the Blues or the defender will want to extend their association.
The Englishman was thought to be leaving Chelsea last summer with his contract expiring but was reportedly requested by incoming manager Antonio Conte to stay for another year. However, Terry has hardly played first-team football this season and still, Chelsea have done a fantastic job defensively and look to be cruising on to the Premier League title.
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Antonio Conte’s three at the back system has worked wonders for Chelsea. Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta have teamed up on most occasions to provide Conte’s side with an exceptional defensive solidity but with Champions League football knocking at the door next season, the West London club will need more options at the back. With John Terry poised to leave, here are five players who could replace the Chelsea legend.
#1 Andreas Christensen
Chelsea have got a brilliant young centre-back in their ranks who looks ready for the big step-up to fill in Terry’s void in the long run. And that player is Danish international Andreas Christensen who is enjoying his second consecutive loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga this season.
Still only 20 years of age, Christensen has been highly impressive for the German side and is getting vital first-team experience with one of the biggest clubs in Germany. He is more of a ball-playing defender who likes to play on the front foot and Conte likes such defenders.
Christensen has the experience of playing in back three at Gladbach and with his quality, he should be welcomed back to the team by Conte in the summer.
#2 Kurt Zouma
Injuries can be cruel to players, especially youngsters who are just making a name for themselves. Kurt Zouma suffered a season-ending injury last season and just came back from that layoff a few months back when Chelsea had already started playing their best football with Luiz, Azpilicueta and Cahill at the back.
The young Frenchman has struggled for playing time this season but we all know about his qualities and huge potential. And it is expected that Conte would give the 22-year-old a chance to prove himself next season.
Zouma is extremely fast for a central defender and has good abilities on the ball. He would do really well in Conte’s 3-man defence with his all-round defensive abilities.
#3 Aymeric Laporte
Laporte is widely considered as one of the best young defenders in the world at the moment and has a bright future ahead of him and that future might be at Stamford Bridge if Conte decides to move for him.
However, we can expect the 22-year-old to be one of the most wanted players in the summer with the likes of Manchester City, Barcelona and Manchester United monitoring his progress.
The Frenchman is highly experienced for a player who is just 22 years of age and looks ready for a big move away from Athletic Bilbao in the summer. He is a ball-playing defender with a brilliant ability to read the game and will get only better with playing under a manager like Conte.
#4 Daniele Rugani
Rugani is touted as one of the future superstars of Italian football and is well-known to Conte from their time together at Juventus. Rugani is a tall, tactically aware and physically strong centre-back, who is good in the air, both defensively and offensively.
The 22-year-old has all the ingredients to become a key player at Chelsea in coming years if he moves to Stamford Bridge. The Italian international is particularly known for his composure, ability to anticipate and mark well.
With Rugani not getting regular playing time at Juventus, Conte might use this to Chelsea’s advantage and lure the defender to Stamford Bridge.
#5 Alessio Romagnoli
After a long time, AC Milan had an excellent start to the season but it was short-lived as the Rossoneri now find themselves seventh on the table. One of those few players who have delivered on a regular basis for Vincenzo Montella’s side this season is defender Alessio Romagnoli.
Romagnoli was one of the primary targets of Chelsea last summer and we might see Conte reigniting interest in the 22-year-old one again in the summer. With Milan hardly making any progress, the might find it hard to retain one of their best players.
The Italian starlet possesses everything Conte wants in his defenders- elegance, versatility, composure and an eye for a pass. In many ways, Romagnoli is similar to his international teammate Giorgio Chiellini who succeeded under Conte at Juventus and could prove to be Chelsea’s Chiellini at left centre-back.
