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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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Chelsea’s midfielder Christian Pulicic (R) dribbles the ball past Barcelona’s midfielder Oriol Busquets during a football friendly match between Spanish Liga team Barcelona and English Premier League club Chelsea in Saitama on July 23, 2019. (Photo by TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s midfielder Christian Pulicic (R) dribbles the ball past Barcelona’s midfielder Oriol Busquets during a football friendly match between Spanish Liga team Barcelona and English Premier League club Chelsea in Saitama on July 23, 2019. (Photo by TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP via Getty Images) /

Lastly, should Chelsea look to reinforce their left back position, then they should turn their eyes towards the turmoil at Camp Nou. The Catalan giants are in such a state of disarray, on the field and off it that the Blues could swoop in and steal a Barcelona gem or two.

Samuel Umtiti is a center back by trade but has played left-back before, and while the Blues are stacked in the middle, he could prove to be a successor to Thiago Silva while covering at left back in the meantime.

Umtiti is currently on the trainer’s bench with a knee injury but Barcelona have made no secret that it wishes to part ways with the World Cup winner. While Umtiti could prove to be a shrewd acquisition by Chelsea, snatching up Jordi Alba would be a serious coup.

Alba is 31 and still heavily involved in the Barcelona team. Yet with Barca stuttering in 8th place in La Liga, Lionel Messi with one foot out the door, and question marks swirling over Ronald Koeman, anything is possible in Catalonia.

Furthermore, with the financial state of Barcelona right now, a 31-year-old defensive gem like Alba could be prized out of Spain. If not Alba, there have been concrete rumors’ that 24-year-old Junior Firpo is surplus to Koeman’s wants and desires at Camp Nou.

The 24-year-old is nothing compared to Alba and has yet to feature in La Liga this season while racking up just 29 minutes of play in the Champions League. Stacked up against Alonso and Emerson however, and snagging Firpo could be a really smart investment.

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Ben Chilwell needs a backup, and one that his manager trusts. With the current options not striking a chord with Frank Lampard, the Blues will have to shirk their usual approach to transfers and buy an older, complimentary piece that will bring experience and stability to this defensive group.

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