{"id":8627,"date":"2026-05-15T07:52:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:52:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8627"},"modified":"2026-05-15T07:52:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:52:54","slug":"chelsea-leading-race-to-sign-argentine-international-centre-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8627","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea leading race to sign Argentine international centre-back"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It is very clear that Chelsea need to strengthen their defence this summer. In fact, reports have suggested that if Xabi Alonso gets the job, one of his priorities will be to bring in two centre-backs. That is understandable considering how shaky the Blues have looked at the back this season.<\/p>\n

Chelsea do have plenty of centre-backs. But other than Levi Colwill, they do not have anybody who you can confidently say can be part of a Premier League title contender. And even when it comes to the aforementioned Englishman, it remains to be seen how he looks in the long run, having just returned from an ACL injury. The performance against Liverpool was a positive though.<\/p>\n

Anyways, it looks like an Argentine international centre-back is on the radar of the Blues right now. According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Chelsea appears to have the upper hand in the race to sign Lautaro Rivero.<\/p>\n

Lautaro Rivero linked with move to Stamford Bridge<\/h2>\n

Rivero currently plays for Argentine giants River Plate. The 22-year-old has been able to establish himself as a starter in the heart of their defence.<\/p>\n

He has been impressive enough to even appear for the Argentine national team. And now, it looks like a move to Europe could be the next step for him.<\/p>\n

Other clubs are also interested in signing Rivero. But looking at the report, it looks like Chelsea are the ones who are in the lead at this point in time.<\/p>\n

Chelsea already have another talented Argentine centre-back<\/h2>\n

It is worth mentioning that Chelsea have already signed one Argentine centre-back in recent times. Aaron Anselmino was brought in from River Plate\u2019s rivals, Boca Juniors.<\/p>\n

Anselmino has not been able to establish himself in the European game though. That is largely due to injuries and poor decisions by Chelsea as well.<\/p>\n

Just when it had looked like Anselmino was finding his feet at Borussia Dortmund, his loan spell was cut short and he was sent to Strasbourg.<\/p>\n

With all due respect to Strasbourg, Dortmund are the much bigger club. Anselmino\u2019s development would have been helped if he had stayed there.<\/p>\n

Anyways, since joining Strasbourg, he has been dealing with constant injury problems. And if he is not able to put them behind him soon, there are serious question marks over his long-term future in the game at a top level. It remains to be seen if Rivero has better luck if he ends up at Chelsea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Sourav<\/div>\n

Sourav Mahanty has covered teams like Chelsea, Celtic, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG and more over a career that has now lasted a decade.
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\nHis work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Athlon Sports, SB Nation, FanSided, The Sportster and aggregated through Bleacher Report and NewsNow.
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\nOutside of football, he is also interested in basketball, cricket and professional wrestling.<\/p>\n

View all articles \u2192<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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