Chelsea considering summer swoop for international defender rejected by Liverpool
- Barnaby Lane
- May 8
- 2 min read
Chelsea’s 2024/25 campaign has been turbulent in almost every area — from inconsistent league form and the polarising tactics of Enzo Maresca, to the unpredictable performances of stars like Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.
Nowhere has that inconsistency been more evident than in central defence.
The Blues have conceded 41 goals in 35 matches — not a complete disaster, but certainly not the return of a team with Champions League ambitions.
Axel Disasi endured a nightmare start and was loaned to Aston Villa in February. Benoît Badiashile has struggled to cement his place, and Levi Colwill, despite his undoubted talent, has looked unusually shaky at times.
Wesley Fofana, still one of the best defenders in the squad, has again spent most of the season sidelined. Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah — recalled from Crystal Palace — and Tosin Adarabioyo have done what’s asked, but little more.
Teenager Josh Acheampong has been a bright spot, impressing in his limited appearances, but at 19, the club is understandably reluctant to lean on him as a long-term starter just yet.
David Hancko emerges as target
That uncertainty has pushed Chelsea into the market for reinforcements — and according to Voetbal International, they’ve turned their attention to Feyenoord’s David Hancko.
The 27-year-old Slovakian international is reportedly set to leave the Eredivisie this summer, and while Chelsea are monitoring the situation closely, they’ll face stiff competition from West Ham and big-spending Saudi club Al Hilal.
Hancko has developed into one of the Dutch league’s standout centre-backs since his move from Sparta Prague in 2022. Originally signed by Arne Slot — now the Liverpool manager — Hancko has become known for his composure in possession, crisp distribution, and positional intelligence.
“He is so stable and can basically do anything,” former Feyenoord defender Tim de Cler told SoccerNews. “I just think he is a top defender all-round. He could definitely play at a club just below Europe’s top six — like Atlético Madrid or Liverpool.”
Hancko himself admitted in December that he had spoken to Slot about the possibility of following him to Anfield. But the move was quickly ruled out.
“I was in contact with the coach,” Hancko said during an appearance on the SFZ Podcast. “But he immediately told me that it was not possible. Liverpool have a certain transfer philosophy. Age was one issue, the other was price. Both factors were negative for me.”
Slot may have moved on, but his assessment of Hancko appears to have held weight. Liverpool ended the season on top of the Premier League without him — but the question now is whether Chelsea should go in a different direction and take that risk.
Given their ongoing defensive frailties and the lack of standout performers at centre-back this season, it may well be a calculated gamble worth making.
Comments