Rudiger Replacement: Chelsea Line Up Eight Defenders To Fill The Spot.

Chelsea are anticipating a handful of additions this summer, with eight defenders alone on their want list.

There will be a summer of change at Stamford Bridge, not just within the squad, but with American billionaire Todd Boehly set to take over from Roman Abramovich. 

Antonio Rudiger is set to be the biggest name leaving the club this summer when his contract expires at the end of June with a deal already in place that will see the centre-back move to Real Madrid as a free agent. 

Several options have been linked with the Blues including Jules Kounde, Wesley Fofana and youth product Levi Colwill, who has spent the year at Huddersfield.

Blues manager Thomas Tuchel is likely to add to his midfield and attack, but with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departing, defense is the main focus.

There are also worries about Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso, who are also targets for Barcelona and appear eager to move to the Camp Nou.

Both Spaniards might still depart Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea would need to replenish their depleted defensive line.

According to the Telegraph, eight names have been identified as potential replacements for the departing defenders, and the club hopes to be ready to move for their targets as soon as the window opens on June 10 - assuming the club's sale goes through as planned.

Long-term target Jules Kounde, who came close to moving from Sevilla last year but had a deal fall through late in the day, is at the top of their shopping list. The 23-year-old France international is expected to be the first of the Blues' defensive replacements.

Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig is a less well-known but highly-rated player who plays on the left side of central defense and can also play left-back.

The 20-year-old is more of a prospect than a proven player, but he is a major target for the Blues.

Tuchel has also been linked with Villarreal's Pau Torres and Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez, as well as four unnamed players.

But one player that has long been tipped to make the move to West London is Napoli star Koulidou Koulibaly, who was wanted when Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri were in charge. 

All of these targets will almost certainly face competition, but with replacements a must, Chelsea will do everything they can to strengthen their defense over the summer.