Transfer Centre

Chelsea to consider Nico Elvedi as Reece James replacement?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 14 December 2023

Chelsea to consider Elvedi as James replacement?

Chelsea may reportedly consider making an approach for Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi as they look for a replacement for Reece James.

Chelsea have reportedly identified Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi as a potential January signing.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Reece James had suffered another significant hamstring injury during last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Everton.

While not revealed by Chelsea, the expectation is that the club captain will be sidelined until February at the earliest in what is another injury blow to Mauricio Pochettino.

With the setback at Goodison Park representing Chelsea's third defeat in four Premier League games, leaving them in 12th position, reports have suggested that Pochettino is eager to enter the transfer market next month.

The report in question has indicated that a new centre-back is wanted by the Blues boss, as well as a central midfielder and central forward.

Chelsea's Reece James in action with Everton's Dwight McNeil on December 10, 2023 © Reuters

Furthermore, Pochettino is eager to increase the physical presence in his ranks with Chelsea having struggled to impose themselves on games and when defending set pieces.

According to TEAMtalk, a player who has been placed on their shortlist for the January window is Monchengladbach defender Elvedi.

In the summer, the Switzerland international was heavily linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers before it emerged that owners Fosun International had instead switched focus to remain with FFP regulations.

At the time, Elvedi had just 12 months remaining on his contract, but an extension was penned in September to take him to the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino during Burnley game on October 7, 2023. © Reuters

The 27-year-old has since made 10 starts and two substitute outings in a team that occupy 10th position in the Bundesliga table, albeit with the second-worst defensive record.

More recently, though, Elvedi - who can play at right-back or centre-back - has featured in victories over Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg, in the DFB-Pokal, where just one goal was conceded, before the 3-1 defeat at Union Berlin last time out.

Elvedi's name allegedly came up in conversations when Chelsea expressed an interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah, who is represented by the same agent.

Despite being available for in the region of £10m in the summer, the report claims that Monchengladbach would be looking for closer towards £30m if Chelsea made a bid for a player who played for his country at the 2022 World Cup.