Chelsea scouting “superb” Serie A defender who could be Liam Rosenior’s first signing as Blues boss

Napoli's Rasmus Hojlund in action with Udinese's Oumar Solet. (REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini)

Uncertainty continues to swirl around Stamford Bridge, with much of the conversation centred on who will lead Chelsea into the next phase of an increasingly turbulent season.

Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day followed a deeply disappointing run of form, with the Blues managing just two wins from their previous nine matches across all competitions, a slump that ultimately proved terminal for the Italian.

Chelsea have moved quickly in their search for a successor, and all signs point towards Liam Rosenior.

The Strasbourg head coach travelled to London for talks and is expected to meet club officials again on Monday, with confidence growing that an agreement will be reached.

At 41, Rosenior would arrive with a reputation for progressive coaching and familiarity with BlueCo’s multi-club model, making him an appealing fit for Chelsea’s hierarchy.

And even before his appointment is officially confirmed, the club appear to be laying the groundwork for what could become his first signing.

Chelsea are among several Premier League clubs closely monitoring Udinese defender Oumar Solet, according to sources cited by CaughtOffside. The 25-year-old centre-back has been watched live by both Chelsea and Crystal Palace, while Manchester United and West Ham are also keeping tabs on him as a longer-term option.

Interest is not limited to England either. In Serie A, Inter, AC Milan and Roma have all produced encouraging reports on Solet, with scouts highlighting his strength in aerial duels, composure in transition and overall defensive reliability.

With Chelsea having looked fragile at the back for much of the season, it is little surprise they are exploring options capable of adding authority and consistency to their defensive line.

Solet himself has never hidden his ambition to test himself at the highest level, particularly in England. Speaking previously to GOAL, he said: “To play for the best teams in the world, of course. To be an example for young players. I just want to show my skills to the whole world. Since the youngest age, I’ve been a fan of the Premier League, but from now on, I am really open about every top league.”

The French defender has earned plaudits throughout his career, including during his time at Red Bull Salzburg, where journalist Zach Lowy labelled him “superb” following an eye-catching Champions League display against Sevilla.

Now plying his trade at Udinese, Solet has featured 21 times in all competitions this season, helping the club sit 12th in Serie A.

With Chelsea preparing for yet another reset and a potential new manager at the helm, a move for Solet could represent a relatively low-risk way to strengthen a problem position, while also aligning with the club’s long-standing focus on players entering their prime years.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.