Top candidates Blues could sign to replace Terry.
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Chelsea transfer gossip
Chelsea captain John Terry is showing no signs of slowing down as the Independent reported this week that the 34-year-old was already back in training ahead of the new season.
The former England defender played every single minute of Chelsea’s Premier League title-winning campaign last season, but it remains to be seen how much longer he can perform every week at that outstanding level.
It seems that Jose Mourinho could already be preparing to replace Terry in the near future, with various recent reports liking the champions with moves for defenders, some of them young and looking like long-term investments for the club.
If speculation is anything to go by, these four centre-backs seem to be the players Chelsea have in mind for coming in and eventually replacing the legendary Terry at Stamford Bridge:
1) John Stones (Everton)
A superb prospect who has impressed in his two seasons in the Everton first-team, John Stones will inevitably draw comparisons with Terry due to being another English defender to catch the eye at a young age. Still only 21, the youngster already looks cut out for playing for a big club, and the London Evening Standard reported this week that Chelsea could be readying a bid for the player.
2) Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
A player handed his debut by Jose Mourinho during their time together at Real Madrid, Raphael Varane is still seemingly on the Blues boss’ radar this summer, with the Daily Mirror reporting back in March that the London giants could try to sign him in a double deal also involving Gareth Bale.
3) Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid)
Recent reports in the Daily Telegraph suggest Chelsea also want to sign Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld after he impressed on loan at Southampton in 2014/15. The Belgian international certainly looked the part in the Premier League last term, though he has more recently been linked with a move to Tottenham, according to Sky Sports.
4) Antonio Rudiger (Stuttgart)
Another report from the London Evening Standard claims that Chelsea are also considering a move for promising young Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger, who has shown himself to be one of the most solid performers in the Bundesliga in recent times.