Chelsea transfer news: Which defenders are the Blues favourites to sign?
Frank Lampard has acknowledged that he must solve Chelsea's defensive problems if he is to become a better manager during his time at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues finished fourth in the Premier League table having conceded the most goals in the top half with 54 in their against column.
Lampard has moved quickly to add to his squad when the transfer window opens. Ajax's Hakim Ziyech and RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner have both made the switch to the capital.
It adds reinforcements to Chelsea's already-impressive front line but Lampard has stated that he knows the other end of the pitch needs improvement - with a left-back and a centre-back among the priority recruits.
Using odds from Sky Bet, we take a look at who they have been backed to sign.
Ben Chilwell
Sky Bet odds: 4/6
Chelsea have long been linked with a move for Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell and they have been backed to complete the signing in this transfer window.
With the left-side of defence a priority area, Chelsea could well go all-in for the England international who has been a regular in this Leicester team.
A stumbling block could be the fee demanded by his current club. Reports from various media outlets claim that the Foxes could ask for as much as £80million for the 23-year-old.
Chilwell, whose contract at the King Power Stadium doesn't expire until 2024, has made 123 appearances for the club - contributing a total of four goals and 12 assists.
Nicolas Tagliafico
Sky Bet odds: 11/4
Should the price tag for Chilwell become too high, Chelsea could well look to Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico as an alternative.
The gossip from the back pages is that Chelsea have prepared a £23m bid as they aim to bring in a left-back before the window shuts. The Argentina international seems to be a player who is on their radar.
Chelsea have already dealt with Ajax this year after they completed a deal for Ziyech. That could put them in a good position if a few clubs show an interest in Tagliafico.
In two-and-a-half years at the club, the 27-year-old has made 99 appearances - scoring 12 goals and assisting a further 15.
Declan Rice
Sky Bet odds: 4/5
Declan Rice could well leave West Ham in this transfer window and Chelsea have been backed into an odds-on price to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
If Rice were to make the switch to Chelsea, he would be following in the footsteps of Lampard who did the same when he left West Ham for the Blues in 2001.
Rice is naturally a defensive midfielder but he has dropped into a centre-back role when required. If he were to come to Chelsea, it is likely that they would use him as a player to sit at the base of midfield and offer further protection to the back line.
The 21-year-old has featured in 98 Premier League matches for the Hammers - scoring two goals.
Nathan Ake
Sky Bet odds: 12/1 (Second favourites)
We are mainly looking at favourites here but Chelsea find themselves as second favourites in the market to sign Bournemouth centre-back Nathan Ake.
Ake left Stamford Bridge to join the Cherries in July 2017 and it's widely expected that he will leave the club this summer; regardless of whether Eddie Howe's side are relegated or not.
Manchester City are heavily fancied to secure his signature but Chelsea's desire for a centre-back may well see them hold an interest in bringing him back.
Since moving three years ago, Ake has featured in 121 games for Bournemouth with eleven goals and six assists on his tally.
Odds correct at 1200 BST (25/07/20)
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