The Blues are expected to back new boss Thomas Tuchel when the transfer window swings open and bringing in another centre-back is mooted to be a priority for the club.
They have been strongly linked with Bayern Munich’s Sule and Tuchel is tipped to look to the Bundesliga, where he knows the league well, for reinforcements.
However, despite Chelsea rating Sule, he is not the club’s number one target.
The Stamford Bridge side look to have at least one defensive target ahead of Sule on their transfer shortlist and it remains to be seen whether they can land their preferred player.
Sule, 25, was snapped up by Bayern Munich from Hoffenheim in 2017 and is also an established Germany international.
By the summer, Sule will have entered the final year of his contract at Bayern Munich.
So far this season Sule has clocked 25 appearances for Bayern Munich this season and has turned out 125 times in total for the German giants.