Chelsea need only one left back, as they already have an ideal Plan B

One of Chelsea’s more obvious pressing needs is a left-back – but only one. Someone at that position will no doubt be close to the top of Frank Lampard’s wish list.

One of the most common yet significant misconceptions around Chelsea’s depth chart is that they need two left backs this summer. Thinking that assumes Emerson and Marcos Alonso are both unfit for Frank Lampard’s plans. While the former might no longer be required, Alonso still has a role to play at Stamford Bridge.

Marcos Alonso does not lack defensive acumen. He is quite underrated defensively, in fact. His defensive positioning and tackling are on point, while he is also great at heading. He simply lacks pace, and his offensive tendencies leave him too far forward at times, without the recovery speed to help him get back as necessary.

Alonso might not be the best left back, but he is a great rotational option to have. His experience and winner’s pedigree are invaluable for a relatively young squad; and his offensive excellence allows Lampard to switch to a 3-4-3, which in itself is a great plan B.

Emerson, the one-month wonder, is neither a great left back nor a great wing-back, so it makes sense for him to make way while the club can still recoup his transfer fee.

As is rumoured, Alex Telles ticks every box as the player needed to improve this position. He is in the prime of his career, is excellent offensively and defensively, and has the build to be unfazed by the Premier League’s physicality. For the fee and skill set, he should undoubtedly be the first-choice transfer target.

It would be foolish, however, to not keep a backup in mind, and Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico would be a great deputy. He is part of the special Ajax team from last season and is quite similar to Telles in his skillset and age. He would also cost around the same as the Brazilian, making him the perfect alternative.

The club should steer clear of one regular in the transfer rumours: Ben Chilwell. The Leicester City man is a talented player who could improve greatly in the future, but the tag of “Englishman” has unnecessarily hyped up his abilities and ramped up his fee.

Chelsea needs a left-back who can make an instant impact rather than in the future. Chilwell needs to continue to develop to match up to his price tag.

It would be in the interest of all parties for the Englishman to continue to ply his trade at King Power Stadium, and in Chelsea’s interest to go for one of the more proven options currently playing on the continent.