Alex Sandro’s technique and athleticism make him worth up to £60 million for Chelsea
Recent rumours have Chelsea bidding for Juventus’ left wing-back Alex Sandro. The Blues should pay up to £60 million if necessary to acquire the next Roberto Carlos.
Following the 2016/17 season one could be forgiven for thinking the last thing Chelsea needed to spend major money on was a left wing-back. Marcos Alonso was phenomenal, and came in on a £24 million transfer.
Alonso’s ability from set-pieces and crossing gave Chelsea an element they have lacked for years. He did, however, slightly lack athleticism and speed at times. This resulted in opponents sometimes catching him out of position.
Alonso was a critical component of Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3. When Alonso was injured opponents would overrun Chelsea. The Blues suddenly lacked the width and versatility they had in previous matches.
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Alex Sandro is very different to Marcos Alonso. At first glance, this move seemed ludicrous and unnecessary. However, Sandro would be worth anything under £60 million were Chelsea to increase their bid to Juventus.
Marcos Alonso is a very functional and reliable Lexus. But he still has all the pinnings of his true form under that fancy badge, and is a Toyota at heart. Alex Sandro, on the other hand, is a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. He is magnificent.
Alex Sandro is unbelievably athletic, letting him defend with aplomb while destroying other defenders in the attacking third. He is a vicious and yet focused and precise tackler, as well as being wonderful on the ball. He is the sort of player Kenedy should be learning from.
Sandro is remarkably fast and has a long stride that takes him past other players in merely a couple of steps. His ball control gives the impression he has the ball glued to his toe at times. His crossing ability from deep is excellent, with his crosses playing more like an angled through-ball.
The extra attacking credibility he adds to the team is something spectacular, made all the better by how rarely he concedes possession. He also reads the game very well, for which Chelsea can thank his Italian defending teachings. He is strong and will adapt to the Premier League quite well in time.
Alex Sandro would be the sort of player to bring Conte’s 3-4-3 to the next level that Europe will demand next season. Victor Moses on one side is a near perfect athlete. That is what a wing-back needs to be. The physical demands and the importance placed on the position makes it hard for players who are even slightly limited to play.
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Chelsea must match Moses on the opposite side of the field with Sandro. And if it is possible that Alex Sandro is the next Roberto Carlos, as the actual Roberto Carlos says, Chelsea should have a very easy decision to make.