Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing AS Roma centre-back Antonio Rudiger but face competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United. The Blues are said to be ready to take advantage of the Italian club's shaky financial situation.

The Sun's Warren Haughton has detailed how Roma were given a £4.3 million fine for failure to comply with UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations. Yet the reporter also revealed how the Serie A club would prefer to sell Greek defender Kostas Manolas than Rudiger.

However, there's still hope for Chelsea and other interested suitors, per the report: "SunSport has been told there are no takers for Manolas, so the club could be forced to do business for Rudiger in January, much to the annoyance of coach Luciano Spalletti."

Rudiger would be an asset to a Chelsea side steamrolling over the competition in England's top flight. The Blues are six points clear at the top of the table, after winning 11 in a row.

Chelsea are scoring for fun and bossing games in midfield. Yet if there's one potential weakness in manager Antonio Conte's team, it's perhaps to be found in defence.

Sure, the Blues have kept clean sheets in each of their last three matches, but those came against West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Crystal Palace—hardly the most dynamic attacking teams in the league.

Chelsea's defence has toughened up since Conte switched to three at the back, but none of the Blues' first-choice centre-backs could be described as elite.

David Luiz and Gary Cahill are both accident-prone, while Cesar Azpilicueta is a converted full-back. Conte protects the trio well with holding midfielders N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, but if the Chelsea juggernaut hits the skids it will be because of problems at the back.

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Signing a defender as accomplished and athletic as Rudiger would ease some of the concerns.

Conte Considering Loan for Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Conte may want to add to his defence, but he could be ready to trim the ranks in midfield. The Italian is reportedly considering sending promising young gem Ruben Loftus-Cheek out on loan.

Conte will discuss the possibility with technical director Michael Emenalo and the player, according to the Guardian's Dominic Fifield.

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It's a tricky call for both Chelsea and Loftus-Cheek. The 20-year-old is a talent, a youngster with the physical stature and passing quality to eventually grow into a talisman in the middle.

The problem is there just aren't the opportunities for growth at Chelsea. Not when Kante and Matic usually man midfield, nor when classy playmaker Cesc Fabregas is always ready to make a difference off the bench.

Loftus-Cheek won't play often at Chelsea this season, but there are clubs willing to give him a chance. West Ham United are among them, per Tony Banks and Joe Short of the Daily Express. So are Newcastle United, according to The Sun (h/t Alex Wood of the Daily Star).

A loan switch to a club offering regular starts is the best thing for Loftus-Cheek at this stage of his development.

Similarly, the best way to ensure Chelsea's title charge stays on course would be for Conte to acquire a quality centre-back in January.