Why Chelsea signing Alex Telles is a good move by the club
According to a report from Tuttosport, via Le10Sport (h/t Express), Chelsea have a ‘good lead’ over Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign FC Porto full-back Alex Telles in the summer transfer window.
Telles, 27, started out at Brazilian outfit EC Juventude. The defender joined Gremio in January 2012, without making a first-team appearance for his boyhood club. In two years at Gremio, he featured 39 times, scoring one goal and setting up four. He joined Galatasaray in January 2014 and spent 18 months at the club, bagging two goals and four assists in 60 matches.
The Brazilian was loaned out to Inter Milan in the summer of 2015, where he featured 22 times, before signing for Porto on a permanent transfer in 2016. He has featured 183 times for the Portuguese outfit, contributing with 21 goals and 52 assists so far.
Chelsea in desperate need of a new left-back
A new striker and a winger should be the top priority for Chelsea, but a quality left-back is also something that Lampard & co. should consider bringing in. Currently, the Blues have Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri as their options on the left side of the defence.
But neither has been able to nail down the spot for themselves, with inconsistent performances. Emerson started the season as the first-choice left-back but hasn’t been able to work his way back into the side since an injury. Alonso, on the other hand, has impressed in spurts. But his lack of defensive nous makes him a liability for Chelsea.
So far this term, Alonso has started just nine Premier League matches, whereas Emerson has started 13, providing an indication of their inconsistencies. This had forced Lampard to utilize captain Cesar Azpilicueta in the left-back slot on a number of occasions this term. So, it becomes imperative for Chelsea to secure the signing of a new left-back come summer.
Telles, to that end, would be a viable option. The 27-year-old has been a consistent performer for Porto for over three years now, as seen from the numbers he has racked up. In the ongoing campaign, he has produced an impressive return of 10 goals and 9 assists in 40 matches across all competitions. In addition, he has also helped Porto secure 16 clean sheets this term.
The Brazilian has been plying his trade at the top level for a number of years now and has proven his quality. Signing him would certainly bring more quality to Chelsea’s left-back department. It would also ensure adequate depth amidst news that either Emerson or Alonso could be sold.
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Verdict
At 27, Telles is entering his peak years and has shown his quality at Porto for a number of years. With proven pedigree and loads of experience, he would improve Chelsea’s options at left-back, adding further quality and depth
