Chelsea among Premier League clubs circling Jan Paul Van Hecke

Chelsea among Premier League clubs circling Jan Paul Van Hecke

Chelsea are one of the Premier League clubs circling Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul Van Hecke, according to VI.NL.

Chelsea need a new centre-half or two to help shore up their leaky backline, and the Dutchman is on their shortlist.

Van Hecke has impressed the Blues with his reading of the game, impressive tackling, and progressive passing.

The 25-year-old has won 56 percent of his aerial and 66% of his ground duels in the Premier League this term.

He has helped keep seven clean sheets and contributed three goals and two assists in 30 league appearances.

Chelsea reportedly want height and physicality at the back, and Van Hecke fits the bill. He can form a long-term partnership with Levi Colwill.

He can also fill in the left-centre-back slot adeptly when the Englishman is not in the picture.

Lauded as a leader and role model, he is exactly what the West London outfit needs.

Van Hecke’s potential arrival will spell doom for the unimpressive Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo.

Both men have looked uncomfortable in that right-centre-back position this season, and Chelsea should move on from them this summer.

The Blues must use their Brighton connections to snap up Van Hecke before other interested parties, such as Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

They need a battle-hardened, Premier League-experienced, quality centre-half in their ranks, and Van Hecke is their man.

Even if they secure his signature, Chelsea cannot rest on their laurels. They must sign another physically imposing defender who dominates the box.

Como’s Jacobo Ramon should be the other name on the Chelsea shortlist. He is a physically dominant yet progressive defender who can significantly improve the backline.

Their potential arrival allows the Blues to move on from duds like Fofana, Adarabioyo, and Benoit Badiashile.

It will allow Mamadou Sarr to head back out on loan to smooth the rough edges of his game.

A defensive composition of Colwill, Van Hecke, Ramon, Trevoh Chalobah, and Josh Acheampong will be top under the right tactical blueprint.