How Chelsea's 5 defender targets rate as they near Ake & Koulibaly deals

CHELSEA go into a new season with a new owner... and a new-look defence.

The Blues have already lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso expected to follow shortly.

With Thiago Silva turning 38 within a month of the 2022-23 season, Todd Boehly and Thomas Tuchel are all-too aware they are in dire need of defensive reinforcements.

And Chelsea have been linked with countless big-name defenders too.

Manchester City star Nathan Ake is believed to be on the brink of a £45million return to Stamford Bridge, with Kalidou Koulibaly following in a £34m deal.

But the West Londoners have been seriously linked with a hatful of other centre-backs, including Bayern Munich target Matthijs de Ligt, Sevilla ace Jules Kounde and Paris Saint-Germain star Presnel Kimpembe.

Ake and Koulibaly appear to be the chosen two - but have Tuchel, Boehly and Co made the right decision?

SunSport has taken a look at the 2021-22 stats across all competitions to find out...

Long story short, they can't go wrong - with their five-man shortlist boasting impressive numbers.

However, each player has their own specialist area, so the Blues' tactical team will need to assess exactly what they need to compensate for losing Rudiger, Christensen and Co.

For example, Juventus star De Ligt is almost unbeatable off the dribble - only allowing one opponent to pass him every TEN games - while also coming out top in clearances at 3.3 per 90 minutes.

If tackling success and ability on the ball is Chelsea's top priority, then PSG ace Kimpembe is the man, boasting a 95.2 per cent passing success rate while completing a superb 62.3 per cent of his tackles.

Kimpembe is also has the highest aerial duels success rate (67 per cent) of the five.

However, ex-Chelsea man Ake wins a ridiculous three aerial duels per game at nearly as high a clip as the Frenchman at 66 per cent, while also going the longest between goals - at 115.1 minutes per goal conceded.

Kounde - a long-term target of Tuchel - had the most clean sheets in 2021-22 with 16, but also played the most matches (44) - while sitting in the middle of the pack for aerial success.

But the Sevilla man ranks bottom in tackling success, interceptions and being beaten by opposing forwards.

Koulibaly is the least-accomplished passer, but still boasts an 87 per cent success rate, while ranking level with Kounde as the most-beatable defender off the dribble.

He also ranks dead-last in tackling success rate - but leads the pack in blocks per 90 minutes, at 0.9 per match.

So every player has their up side and all have their drawbacks - but which will Chelsea choose?

Ahead of a huge season as they target the Premier League title, look to go one better in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup - having lost to Liverpool in both finals on penalties - and take part in the Champions League, they can't afford to get it wrong.