While Chelsea might have put in a largely valiant performance over in the French capital on Wednesday night, the Blues find their Champions League dreams hanging by a thread.
Eventually falling to a rollercoaster 5-2 loss against the reigning European champions PSG, Liam Rosenior’s side now have a major battle on their hands in the race to claim any kind of silverware this season.
Watching Rosenior only complete a shock move to Stamford Bridge back in January following Enzo Maresca’s messy divorce, the former Strasbourg boss is expected to oversee another overhaul in west London this summer.
With it no secret that the former Premier League champions have a new central defender at the top of their summer wishlist, Chelsea are already drawing up their list of potential options.
Although they will almost have a heavyweight battle on their hands in the race for Nottingham Forest star Murillo, the Brazilian international would certainly be considered a major statement arrival.
Rosenior seeking defensive steel in west London
While Rosenior might have shocked many as he made an immediate impact after being announced as Maresca’s successor at Stamford Bridge just hours after opening the New Year, it is fair to say that the Blues have lost some of their early momentum.
Suffering late European frustration over in Paris on Wednesday night as they slumped to a first-leg 5-2 defeat against PSG, the one-time Hull City manager will also have a mounting headache over his side’s glaring defensive struggles.
Despite extending on their FA Cup adventure last weekend as they dragged themselves to a hard-fought 4-2 victory away at Championship outfit Wrexham, Chelsea have failed to find any kind of stability at the back.
With England international Levi Colwill yet to make a single appearance this season and still sidelined with a long-term knee injury, Rosenior has failed to find a regular partnership at the heart of his defence.
With Wesley Fofana dealing with his own public injury frustrations this season and speculation that both Trevor Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile could be moved on this summer, it is no surprise that a defensive overhaul is at the top of Rosenior’s agenda.
Getting March underway with a 2-1 defeat against local rivals and runaway Premier League title contenders Arsenal, Chelsea have now recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions.
Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet during this run of fixtures in recent Gameweeks 😳#FPL pic.twitter.com/u5vPXcpmSW
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) February 21, 2026
Murillo should be Chelsea’s standout summer target
At the heart of a Premier League relegation scrap, Nottingham Forest are more than aware that they have an almighty battle on their hands to keep hold of many of their first-team stars this summer.
Even if Vitor Pereira’s men do avoid the drop and cling to their top-flight status, the City Ground hierarchy have seen many of Europe’s elite circle over their most notable figures.
Alongside serious interest in budding midfield talisman Elliot Anderson, it is no secret that Murillo has plenty of admirers from across the continent and the 23-year-old is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s hottest defensive starlets.
With many expecting the former Corinthians youngster to start at the heart of Brazil’s defence at this summer’s World Cup, Murillo has previously been linked with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool.
However, with it heavily speculated that Forest’s defensive icon has already informed his representatives that he is looking for a new adventure away from the City Ground this summer, Chelsea are another long-term fan.
With Rosenior expected to be heavily backed and already giving his blessing over what would be a blockbuster move for the Brazilian ace, Murillo’s arrival would certainly be considered as a major coup.
Brazilian star Murillo is preparing to leave Nottingham Forest this summer, and the level of interest in the Brazilian defender is already “strong and serious”, @TEAMtalk understands.https://t.co/vpZpSOMboF
— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) February 15, 2026
