Chelsea: Five potential transfer targets from the Euro 2020 group stage

3. Stefan Lainer, Austria, Borussia Monchengladbach

As is generally the case with Austrian sides that have qualified for recent major international tournaments, the sum of the whole has been greater than its parts during Euro 2020. Few names stand out on the squad list, but a well-organized defense and strong mentality have propelled Austria into the Round of 16, where the team will unfortunately face Italy, who looks to be the favorite after allowing zero goals during the group stage. Still, there have been many bright spots for Group C’s runners-up, one of which is right wing-back Stefan Lainer.

Lainer’s importance to Austria is demonstrated by the fact that he has played every single minute of Euro 2020 so far. He was an iron man for his club, Borussia Monchengladbach, as well this past season, having taken part in 33 of 34 Bundesliga matches and all eight Champions League contests. Lainer’s durability, hard-headedness, and defensive excellence have never been in question, but the past few matches have revealed an attacking ability that the 28-year-old has rarely shown before. The biggest example came during Austria’s opening match against North Macedonia, in which Lainer scored a sensational cross from Marcel Sabitzer with an incredibly acrobatic stretch at the back post.

As is the case with Schick, Lainer would likely be looked at as a second option in the eyes of many Chelsea supporters because of the team’s links with Achraf Hakimi over the past few weeks. The Moroccan international appears set to join Paris Saint-Germain, though, so the Blues will need to identify other potential defensive recruits quickly. Given Lainer’s age and relative anonymity, his price tag would certainly be lower than the reported €80 million that Inter is demanding for Hakimi, which is not the worst thing if Abramovich is really going to cough up well over €100 million to bring Haaland to the Bridge.

Lainer’s versatility is also an underrated aspect of his game. He prefers to play as a wing-back, as he does with Austria, but is more than capable as a right fullback in a back four and has been deployed as a right-sided center back in a back three at times as well. His style of play is actually reminiscent of a young Cesar Azpilicueta, although he provides more pace than the Spaniard ever did. His professional attitude and lack of ego are also similar to the skipper’s, so he would be a welcome addition to the dressing room.