Chelsea can finally build dream backline with £85m 'next Virgil van Dijk' transfer opportunity

Enzo Maresca could boast one of the strongest backlines in the Premier League if Chelsea can sign Antonio Silva this summer. The Benfica defender has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge on numerous occasions in the past, but a deal never materialised.

However, this summer, a switch could finally be on the cards. According to the Portuguese newspaper Record, Silva has been put up for sale by the Eagles, who want to cash in on his impressive performances at the Club World Cup.

The 21-year-old played all but four minutes for Benfica in the United States as they reached the round of 16. Silva particularly caught the eye in a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich during the group stages, keeping the likes of Harry Kane and Thomas Muller at bay.

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Record reckons that Silva was set to join Juventus in January before a deal collapsed, leaving the door wide open for Chelsea to swoop in. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at how the Blues could set up next season.

LB – Marc Cucurella

Cucurella has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the world over the last year or so. The 26-year-old defender played a crucial role in Luis de la Fuente's side at the European Championships last year as Spain stormed past the likes of Italy, Germany, France and then England in the final.

He's gone from strength to strength ever since. Whether he's tucked inside as an inverted full-back to support build-up, bombed down the wing to provide width or crashed the box to outnumber the opposition, Cucurella has been stellar.

LCB – Levi Colwill

Colwill has enjoyed a superb end to the season for Chelsea, proving exactly why he must be regarded as one of the best young centre-halves in the world. At just 22, he's marshalled one of the strongest backlines in the Premier League.

Only two teams conceded fewer goals than the Blues last term – Liverpool and Arsenal – which is a huge improvement on the year before. Enzo Maresca deserves a lot of praise for the great work he's done. Not just with Colwill, but Chelsea as a whole.

RCB – Antonio Silva

Chelsea are just signing away from fielding the complete backline; a world-class right-footed centre-back, who can take Colwill under his wing. Unfortunately, the only player who fits that exact profile is Virgil van Dijk, and he won't be leaving Liverpool anytime soon.

So, the Blues should expand their search for a new defender and sign Silva from Benfica. The Portugal international, whose contract expires in June 2027, featured 23 times in the Primeira Liga last season, keeping nine clean sheets.

Unfortunately for Silva, he couldn't quite lead the Eagles to glory, with Sporting CP clinching the title on the final day, but he was impressive nonetheless. With no obvious world-class right-footed centre-back on the market, Chelsea should take a punt on the youngster.

Silva could help the Blues have their 'Van Dijk moment', just like Liverpool did when they signed the Dutchman from Southampton in January 2018. Of course, it's a risk, but it's one worth taking – especially for such a shrewd fee.

According to Record, Benfica are opening to selling the young defender for just €35m (£30m), despite having a €100m (£85m) release clause in his contract...

RB – Reece James

James struggled with injuries at the start of the season, but, since the turn of the year, he's been absolutely superb. Like Cucurella, the 25-year-old defender has flourished in a variety of roles for club and country, stepping up to the plate in big moments.

If James can stay fit, Chelsea will be well-positioned to compete on all fronts next season. It comes as no surprise that Trent Alexander-Arnold fled the Premier League as soon as the Cobham graduate found his feet again...