Why Chelsea must plot a summer swoop for FC Porto left-back Alex Telles
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola (h/t The Express), FC Porto are looking to sell Alex Telles in the summer, with Chelsea one of the European sides interested in signing the defender.
Alex Telles, 27, has consistently impressed since joining the club from Galatasaray in 2016 and it seems his time at FC Porto is drawing to a close with his contract set to expire in 2021. The Brazilian has featured 181 times for the Portuguese giants, racking up 21 goals and 51 assists during his time at the club.
However, the report (h/t The Express) claims that the 27-year-old left-back is unwilling to sign a new deal with the club, thus, Porto are looking to cash him in this summer in order to avoid losing him for free at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have had an up and down season in what is Frank Lampard’s debut campaign at Stamford Bridge. Despite no new players arriving at the club in the last two transfer windows and the Blues losing Eden Hazard to Real Madrid before the start of the season, Lampard has done a very good job to keep his team in the top four.
The West Londoners have struggled defensively, conceding 39 goals in 28 games. They have not kept a clean sheet in the last eight games across all competitions. None of Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma or Andreas Christensen has performed consistently this season, while neither Emerson Palmieri nor Marcos Alonso has done enough to establish themselves as Lampard’s first-choice left-back.
Although Alonso has enjoyed a resurgence in recent weeks, he isn’t reliable defensively, as evidenct from his performances earlier this season and last term as well.
The duo, along with Cesar Azpilicueta, have all made appearances in that position this season without holding down a regular spot. Therefore, Lampard should aim to strengthen the left-back position in the summer by signing Alex Telles.
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Verdict
Telles has proven himself as a quality attacking left-back since arriving at FC Porto. He has further enhanced his reputation with 8 goals and 5 assists in 21 league games this season. The Brazilian would undoubtedly bolster Chelsea’s options on the left side of the defence, whilst adding depth to the squad. Capable of playing at left wing-back or left-midfield, he could be ideal for a Chelsea system that sometimes uses wing-backs.
At the age of 27, Telles is operating at the peak of his powers. He has proven himself in Europe; so, Chelsea must not hesitate to sign him from Porto in the summer.
