Chelsea Transfer News: Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell will undergo knee surgery that could rule him out for the rest of the season. Chilwell suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage in Chelsea’s Champions League win against Juventus on November 23rd, 2021. The Blues had hoped Chilwell could return to action without surgery, but the England left-back has been told he must have the ligament repair operation. Follow the latest Sport news and updates on InsideSport.IN
Chelsea are working on three defensive transfer targets ahead of the January Transfer window as they look for backup in their hunt for the league title race, Carabao Cup and the Champions League Round of 16.
Chelsea are considering options to replace Chilwell. 🔵 #CFC
First approach with Lucas Digne’s camp as he’s prepared to leave Everton.
Sergiño Dest is appreciated – nothing advanced yet. Nicolás Tagliafico has been discussed weeks ago.
Recalling E. Palmieri or Maatsen, plan B.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 28, 2021
Chelsea Transfer News: Left-backs on their radar
Nicolas Tagliafico, Sergino Dest and Lucas Digne are a few of the names that have popped up on Chelsea’s radar after their flying full-back Ben Chilwell has been out injured and could be out for the rest of the season.
Although the likes of Saul Niguez, Calum Hudson-Odoi, Marcos Alonso and backup Reece James who is also comfortable playing the left-back position in the absence of Ben Chilwell. Marcos Alonso currently has been the back up player but with Emerson Palmieri out on loan, Chelsea would be keen to cash in for a left-back.
Nicolas Tagliafico:
Tagliafico who was considered as one of the best left-backs during Ajax’s semi-final journey in the Champions League currently has started just 2 matches for Ajax this season. He has fallen off in his relationship with Ajax manager Erik Ten Haq.
Argentinian left-back Nicolás Tagliafico’s no longer a starter in Ajax team this season. Could be an opportunity on transfer market. 🇦🇷🇳🇱 #Ajax
Tagliafico says: “If I was ten Hag, I would talk more with the players on the bench… this is important”, he told NOS. @theeuropeanlad pic.twitter.com/vCP3F4DA1p
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 5, 2021
In his last 3 seasons in the Eredivisie league, he has managed 11 assists and a total of 6 goals. The Argentine is well capable of providing an attacking threat in the wing-back position too.
Lucas Digne:
Everton’s Lucas Digne is also on Chelsea’s wanted list and there is a feeling that he could be a signing that may be completed in the upcoming transfer window. He has had a fallout with his manager too and with Vitaliy Mikolenko joining the club from Dynamo Kyiv the transfer could be imminent.
Vitaliy Mikolenko will complete his medical as new Everton player today – and then he’ll sign his contract in order to announce the deal as soon as possible. Here-we-go. ⏳🇺🇦 #EFC
More: Lucas Digne could really leave Everton in January if a good proposal arrives. https://t.co/7DN1IjHnYl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2021
Lucas Digne who once used to play for PSG and Barcelona till August 2018 earned a lot of praise since signing for Everton. He has racked up a total of 127 appearances and 6 goals and 18 assists for the Toffees.
The Frenchman has widely been regarded as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League since he arrived, with his attacking ability and set-piece proficiency something Everton have profited from numerous times before.
Sergino Dest:
Barcelona’s Sergino Dest is another player interesting to Chelsea and once again, he is a player who could be signed next month. Dest is one of the most exciting young full-backs in the world but has fallen down the pecking order since Xavi’s arrival in Barcelona.
STUNNER FROM SERGINO DEST 🔥pic.twitter.com/wz0W49kyqo
— GOAL (@goal) October 13, 2021
Furthermore, he is not a natural left-back, instead preferring to operate as a right-back a position Chelsea are already fairly well covered in. But with his ability to play on the wing and also play at both sides as a wing-back could be an added advantage for Thomas Tuchel. If Calum Hudson-Odoi plans to leave Chelsea for Bayern or Dortmund, Dest could be the ideal replacement.
Chelsea Transfer News: Other options at the left-back position
The fourth option The Blues are considering is to recall Emerson Palmieri, who is currently on loan at Lyon in Ligue 1. Emerson has been a decent enough squad player for Chelsea since he joined the club in 2018, making 71 appearances and scoring two and assisting five times during this stint.
Chelsea’s final option is to recall another loan player, but this time it could be in the form of 19-year-old Ian Maatsen, who is currently on loan at Championship side Coventry, who are pursuing a playoff spot in order to help them get promoted at the end of the season.
Whatever option Chelsea choose to pursue, they will need to get it done swiftly to ensure they do not suffer from the loss of Chilwell for too long as the Carabao Cup Semi-final, FA Cup is nearing soon.
Chelsea Transfer News: Potential players Chelsea are targeting in January following a season-ending injury to Ben Chilwell
Editors pick
