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Tactics and Transfers: January signings are necessary for Chelsea

By Barrett Rouen

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on January 02, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on January 02, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Lucas Digne of Everton takes a throw in during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Lucas Digne of Everton takes a throw in during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Lucas Digne

Firstly, Chelsea should simply make the Lucas Digne signing. He’s great at delivering the ball from the left side and a fantastic left-footed free kick taker. He’s also notably very good in the air, both attacking and defensively. He is not a part of Rafael Benitez’s plans and has made it apparent to Everton that he would like to join Chelsea if the option is available. The Blues have the issue here in the fact that they are competing with Newcastle, who will be willing to spend more desperately to try and avoid relegation. Chelsea shouldn’t worry about this too much. The purchase fee is rumored to be £25 million. The loan fee with an option, but you have to look at what suits Everton. The world is not run for Chelsea’s benefit. If a permanent signing is necessary, the Blues should do it with the view that it is actually Alonso they are replacing in the long-term.

If they have to sign Digne on a permanent deal that’s the best case scenario anyway. Ben Chilwell is going to be out for a long time and it will take time for him to work his way back into the squad. There’s also still no guarantee that he’s the same player when he comes back as hard as that is to stomach. ACL injuries are not as bad as they used to be, though the constant evolution of modern health technology has changed what used to be a nail in the coffin of a players career into something that is no longer that case at all everything needs to be considered. Living in a world where it’s not a very serious issue in our long-term plans is stupid, barring on negligent.

Alonso sadly doesn’t seem to have it anymore. The fact that it is such a huge issue that he’s having to cover for Chilwell demonstrates that. Digne can take over for the rest of the season and platoon with Chilwell in future, should the Englishman return to his place as the best left back in the world. Either way, having a stronger long-term back-up to the Englishman would not be a bad move. Alonso will likely have to move on at some point though, I am curious about him as an left centerback too.

Digne also has Premier League experience. Asking a player to come in and adjust to the league immediately from a different one is an incredibly difficult task. Premier League experience should be valued at a premium in this case. Another option is Alex Sandro of Juventus on loan. The Old Lady are trying to cut salaries at the moment and he would be a great, experienced option.

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