UNSTOPPABLE DEFENDER: WHY MURILLO IS THE PERFECT CHELSEA CENTER-BACK
Chelsea is targeting Nottingham Forest defender Murillo (£80m) as the necessary upgrade to Tosin Adarabioyo, whose form and style don't suit Maresca's system.
Enzo Maresca's first season at Stamford Bridge, where he won multiple titles, showed he could lead Chelsea for years. There's a lot to like about the team this year.
That said, they probably won't win the league just yet. Moises Caicedo's absence was felt again when he was suspended for the last game.
Arsenal is nine points ahead, and Chelsea needs to get better in several areas. Central defence is definitely one of them, as Tosin Adarabioyo's mistakes at Leeds proved.
Tosin has been criticised since his late blunder against Leeds. Noah Okafor stole the ball from him, leading to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late goal that gave Chelsea a 3-1 loss.
He could also be better at building plays. Tosin, 28, likes to have the ball, but he's not as good at moving it forward as some other players in his position, which doesn't fit with the style of play Maresca wants.
It's clear he needs to be taken out of the starting lineup, but Chelsea doesn't have many options at centre back. Levi Colwill is still injured, and Wesley Fofana is frequently absent.
It's not shocking that Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are planning a big transfer in 2026.
Chelsea Wants Tosin to Upgrade
According to Football Insider, Chelsea might have to pay £80 million for Murillo from Nottingham Forest next year. Barcelona is also interested in the Brazilian centre-back.
Murillo, 23, is in his third year in the Premier League and is doing well. He's been key in making Forest contenders for Europe. His strength and aggressiveness are what Chelsea needs.
Regardless, he would be better than Tosin.
Why Murillo Would Be a Tosin Upgrade
Murillo keeps improving. Some experts on Brazilian football say he's one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
He's not very tall, standing under 6 feet. But Murillo is still a force to be reckoned with, a huge presence on defence.
Even with the changes at Forest this season, he's been a steady presence in the backline, though he's less creative now that Sean Dyche is in charge.
Stats can be misleading, but even though Murillo isn't creating chances directly, he's still one of the league's most well-rounded centre-backs. He's in the top 5% of Premier League players for interceptions and blocks, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for progressive passes, and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90 minutes, according to FBref data.
Shot-creating actions are plays that lead to a shot, like a pass, a take-on, or a foul drawn.
Tosin doesn't offer this kind of offensive contribution to the same degree. Plus, at 23, Murillo has much more room to improve than the 28-year-old Tosin.
Murillo is a scorer, protector, enforcer, and leader all in one. There's no doubt he would fit into Maresca's starting lineup at Chelsea, likely replacing Tosin.
Tosin has been a good addition since joining Chelsea for free, but now it's time for the team to be ruthless, as they have been many times before.
By putting success first, they will improve Maresca's project.
LIAM ROSENIOR’S "DETAILED TALKS" WITH CHELSEA LEADERSHIP REVEAL AGGRESSIVE SUMMER TRANSFER STRATEGY
Liam Rosenior confirms no Chelsea players want to leave, including Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, despite UCL exit.
Liam Rosenior is currently engaged in thorough discussions with Chelsea’s leadership about their plans for the summer transfer window. Interestingly, none of the players has approached him expressing a desire to leave.
After Chelsea’s exit from the Champions League last-16 against Paris Saint-Germain, speculation swirled around Enzo Fernandez’s future, while names like Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo have also been linked with moves away since Rosenior took charge in January. Ahead of their trip to Everton, Rosenior addressed questions about possible departures if the team misses out on Europe’s top competition again. He also spoke about the ongoing efforts to bring new players in.
“We're having very detailed talks about where we need to strengthen,” he said, referring to conversations with the sporting director team, headed by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. “I’ve shared my thoughts on what’s needed, and we’re mostly aligned on the approach, which is encouraging. But the priority is also handling the present properly. It’s crucial to be in a good spot now. Planning is important, but so is winning in the moment. That’s why I’m here, and I’m having positive discussions with ownership and the sporting directors about it.”
Rosenior emphasised that key players like Enzo Fernández want to remain at Chelsea. After Fernandez’s recent interview with ESPN Argentina, where he was noncommittal about his future following the heavy loss to PSG, Rosenior reached out to him personally.
“Our plans don’t hinge solely on qualifying for the Champions League; there are many variables,” Rosenior explained. “We need to make the best of the situation we’re in and stay as strong as possible. I maintain a close relationship with the players; we talk beyond football about their families and their lives. I’m particularly close with Enzo and the others. Since I arrived, no one has told me they want to leave in the summer. The focus is really on improving together as a team and figuring out what it takes to win right now.”
When asked specifically if that applies to Fernandez, Palmer, and Caicedo, Rosenior was clear: “They love it here.”
WHY ENZO FERNANDEZ REFUSES TO COMMIT TO CHELSEA’S FUTURE PROJECT
Enzo Fernandez has sparked Chelsea exit fears after refusing to commit to his future following a 2-8 defeat to PSG.
Chelsea fans barely had time to process a brutal 8-2 Champions League thrashing by PSG on Tuesday when vice-captain Enzo Fernandez stirred things up even more. ESPN Argentina asked him about his future, and instead of assurance, Fernandez left everyone guessing about whether he’d still be at Stamford Bridge next season.
His answer? “I don’t know. There are eight games left, and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup, and then we’ll see.” Not exactly what supporters needed to hear after a rough night. Honestly, Enzo, now’s probably not the best time for uncertainty.
People have been gossiping about Fernandez’s next move for a while now. Real Madrid and PSG keep cropping up as possible destinations, despite Chelsea sources insisting they won’t sell him. He’s locked into a contract until 2032, but if he pushes for an exit, who knows if that changes.
Fernandez holds a hefty price tag of £107 million; when he arrived in January 2023, it was a British record at the time. He’s backed it up this season, stacking up 12 goals, 6 assists, and playing more minutes than anyone else on the squad.
Still, Chelsea has been searching for someone who can play that No. 10 role where Fernandez has spent most of the season. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is on their wishlist, though nothing’s happened yet. Rogers, 23 and once a Manchester City academy kid, has been lighting it up at Villa lately. He signed a contract extension in November, but rumours about his future just won’t die.
Rogers is definitely on Chelsea’s radar. If Fernandez leaves this summer, and really, that’s still wide open; Rogers could be a target.
You can expect Chelsea to be busy in the market soon. They need a centre-back after missing out on Jeremy Jacquet in January. Douglas Luiz was briefly considered but wound up at Villa, so midfield is still in the mix. Plus, given their attacking troubles this season, they’ll be looking to upgrade up front too.
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