Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'identify two possible Jorginho replacements'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 03 January 2023

Chelsea reportedly identify Nice's Khephren Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach's Kouadio Kone as possible replacements for Jorginho should the Italian not sign a new deal.

Chelsea have reportedly identified Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach's Kouadio Kone as possible replacements for Jorginho.

Jorginho's contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, meaning that he is now able to enter talks with foreign clubs over a free transfer.

The Italian has been most heavily tipped to stay in the Premier League with Newcastle United, although his agent has confirmed that there is a contract offer on the table from Chelsea, and that his priority is to stay in West London.

However, the Blues are understood to still be keeping an eye out for potential replacements for the 31-year-old.

football.london reports that France Under-21s duo Thuram and Kone are both on their radar and that Chelsea could step up their interest if talks with Jorginho drag on much longer.

Borussia Monchengladbach's Kouadio Kone celebrates with fans after the match in October 2022 © Reuters

Twenty-one-year-old Thuram, who is the son of 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram and younger brother of France international Marcus Thuram, has registered four assists in 25 appearances for Nice this season.

Kone, meanwhile, has scored once and assisted once in 15 Gladbach appearances this season, while new Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell is understood to be a big fan of the 21-year-old.

The Premier League outfit are known to be in the market for midfield reinforcements, with uncertainty also surrounding the future of N'Golo Kante.

Recent reports have suggested that they are closing in on a mega-money deal to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, while Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are among the other names to have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.