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Chelsea: Ben Chilwell needs an experienced backup

By Oliver Smith

Chelsea's English defender Ben Chilwell runs on the pitch during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / various sources / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's English defender Ben Chilwell runs on the pitch during the English League Cup third round football match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge in London on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / various sources / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP via Getty Images) /
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PRISTINA, KOSOVO – NOVEMBER 17: Ben Chilwell of England battles for possession with Florent Hadergjonaj of Kosovo during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier between Kosovo and England at the Pristina City Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Pristina, Kosovo. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
PRISTINA, KOSOVO – NOVEMBER 17: Ben Chilwell of England battles for possession with Florent Hadergjonaj of Kosovo during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier between Kosovo and England at the Pristina City Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Pristina, Kosovo. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

The first name, Alex Sandro, is one that has been linked to the Blues repeatedly in transfer windows gone by. The 29-year-old Juventus left back was once the most feared left back in the world.

Devastatingly quick, good going forward and an underrated defender, the Brazilian has yet to feature for the Old Lady this season due to a hamstring injury. Juventus are short at left back even with Sandro fully fit, however some of the shine has fallen off Juventus under Andrea Pirlo.

With Juve languishing in fifth in Serie A, a player who is close to the wrong side of 30 like Sandro, and a club that will not accept a losing season, the Brazilian could find himself surplus in Turin. A bad season could see a re-jig in Italy and a discounted Alex Sandro would provide that sprinkle of class and experience behind Ben Chilwell on Chelsea’s left flank.

Staying in Serie A, Chelsea could look to Napoli left back Faouzi Ghoulam. The French born Algerian has barely featured for Napoli this season, making only three appearances and none of them coming as part of the starting XI.

At 29 and seemingly not wanted on the Italian coast, he could be snapped up for less than £10 million. Whether Ghoulam is all that much of an improvement on Emerson remains to be seen but it is possible that a change of scenery could be a good thing for the Algerian international and selling Alonso or Emerson would result in a net profit for the Blues will not weakening them.

Chelsea then they could cast their eyes on Borussia Dortmund’s 32-year-old Marcel Schmelzer. Schmelzer is not what he once was, but he is still a good defender who brings experience and calmness under pressure, qualities Emerson and Alonso seem to lack in a Chelsea shirt.

Moving out Emerson or Alonso and bringing in Schmelzer would be a considerable risk due to his knee surgery but if Lampard is set on avoiding his current left back understudies the Blues benefit as Schmelzer’s swan song.

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