Chelsea face Tuchel competition for bargain Thiago Silva replacement

Tom Weber

• 22 Dec 2023 10:14 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea target Jonathan Tah has many admirers at Bayer Munich, according to a report.

The Bayer Leverkusen vice-captain has been given a new lease on life by Xabi Alonso. Previously someone who frequently performed well below his capabilities, Tah is now an undisputed star player at Bayer 04 thanks to the stability provided by Alonso's system, which hides his flaws and emphasises his strengths.

Alonso's back three of Tah, Odilon Koussounou and Edmond Tapsoba has been the stoutest backline in the Bundesliga this term and Tah appears to finally, consistently, live up to the promise he has shown since his teenage years. The 27-year-old's performances this term have not gone unnoticed outside of the Rhineland either.

What makes Tah an attractive prospect, a "market opportunity," is the fact that he has a very affordable release clause and a deal that expires in 2025. The German international has never made a secret of his desire to play Premier League football so he likely insisted on his bargain €18 million exit clause when he penned a new contract in 2021.

Chelsea's Bayern competition

Earlier this year, Tah joined up with superagent Pini Zahavi to help him get a move to England. After Leverkusen had been mired in a relegation battle for much of last season prior to Alonso's arrival, Tah handed in a transfer request in the summer but couldn't find a buyer.

In light of his good form, however, the German recently emerged as a potential target for Chelsea. Zahavi has a good relationship with the Blues who are in the market for a replacement for 39-year-old Thiago Silva as the Brazilian's contract is up at the end of the season.

The Blues aren't the only ones interested, though. According to BILD's Bayern-Insider podcast, ex-Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel is a big admirer of his compatriot. Nothing in the way of an actual approach has been made thus far, but Tah is said to be viewed as a potential option at Bayern, who are keen to strengthen the centre-back department.