By OkayGoal
Chelsea are preparing a January move for Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon, and the timing tells you everything about why.
The 21-year-old has become a key presence in Lombardy since joining Como from Real Madrid in the summer of 2025. He was instrumental as Cesc Fabregas’s side secured Champions League qualification last season, and he has kept on flourishing on the European stage.
The Spain Under-21 international recently produced a commanding display at the back as Como claimed a memorable European win over Manchester United. Now the Blues want him, with Maxence Lacroix nursing a hamstring problem.
Why Chelsea have lined up Jacobo Ramon for January
According to the Daily Mail, as reported by Sports Mole, Jacobo Ramon’s recent performances have caught the attention of the Chelsea hierarchy.
There’s a personal link too. Xabi Alonso knows the defender well, having worked with him during his time in Real Madrid’s youth set-up. That sort of familiarity counts for a lot when a head coach is asking the board to move quickly in a winter window.
This isn’t a new name on the list, either. Chelsea have been monitoring Ramon since January 2025, when they missed out on fellow defensive target Jeremy Jacquet, who joined Liverpool.
Arsenal and Man United are in the queue too
Chelsea won’t have this one to themselves. The report says the west London club face strong competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.
The deal itself won’t be simple. Ramon is valued at €45m (£37.7m) by Transfermarkt, and Real Madrid hold a 50 per cent sell-on clause plus an unspecified buy-back option. Any buyer has to factor in that Madrid could come knocking again later, which makes this a trickier piece of business than the fee alone suggests.
Could Jacobo Ramon replace the injured Lacroix?
Lacroix hobbled off with a hamstring injury during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool, and that could force Chelsea to speed up their pursuit of a new centre-back.
No Blues defender has played more Premier League minutes than Lacroix this season, so his absence would leave a real hole in Alonso’s back line, with Manchester United due at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The cover isn’t exactly reassuring. Wesley Fofana has been inconsistent, and Josh Acheampong has mostly played at right-back under Alonso. Put those together and the interest in the Como star makes plenty of sense.
Verdict: Jacobo Ramon fits exactly what Alonso needs
I like this one. A 21-year-old centre-back who already plays Champions League football, who his would-be manager has worked with before, and who stood up to Manchester United on a European night is a far smarter January target than a panic buy.
The buy-back clause is the catch. Chelsea could be paying something close to that £37.7m valuation for a player Real Madrid might one day reclaim, and with Arsenal and Man United also in the queue, the price is unlikely to drop. Still, if Lacroix is out for any length of time, Alonso can’t afford to wait until the summer.