Chelsea Target Como Defender Jacobo Ramon in Summer Defensive Shake-Up

Chelsea are exploring a move for Como’s rising defensive star Jacobo Ramon as part of an ambitious plan to revamp their backline, according to reports from The Athletic.

The West London club is reportedly keen on securing two new central defenders during the current transfer window, though any incoming deals will depend heavily on player departures. Alongside Ramon, Chelsea have also made a formal enquiry for Wolfsburg’s French centre-back Maxence Lacroix.

Ramon, 21, has enjoyed a rapid rise since moving to the Italian side from Real Madrid last summer. Standing at 6ft 5in, the right-footed Spaniard is under contract at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia until 2030. Valued at approximately £25 million by Transfermarkt, Como remains in a strong negotiating position should Chelsea formalize their interest. Ramon’s blend of physical dominance, recovery pace, and technical proficiency on the ball made him a standout performer in Italy last season, where he kept 15 clean sheets and scored twice in 37 appearances across all competitions, helping his side qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Chelsea’s interest comes amid ongoing questions surrounding their current central defensive options. Under the ownership of Clearlake Capital, the club has aggressively recruited young talent, yet the first-team squad continues to undergo significant transition.

Currently, Chelsea have several options to deploy in the centre-back positions, including Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile, Mamadou Sarr, Jorrel Hato, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, and Axel Disasi. However, several of these players face uncertain futures or fitness concerns. Colwill has recently returned from a serious knee injury, while Chalobah has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Furthermore, Fofana’s career in West London has been disrupted by persistent injury setbacks, and Badiashile has struggled for consistency. Free agent signing Adarabioyo has found regular minutes hard to come by, while Sarr has struggled to find his feet since joining from Strasbourg. Disasi is reportedly deemed surplus to requirements, while younger prospects such as Anselmino, Hato, and Acheampong are viewed as long-term development projects rather than immediate first-team solutions.

To facilitate new arrivals like Ramon or Lacroix, Chelsea will need to sanction player sales to balance their books and remain compliant with financial regulations. The club’s transfer strategy continues to focus on acquiring highly rated young players with significant potential, a profile that Ramon fits perfectly.