MR View: Should Chelsea sign this experienced Serie A star to bolster their backline?

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Chelsea must make a move for AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli

Back in February 2019, Italian outlet Calciomercato (h/t The Sun) had claimed that Chelsea were interested in signing AC Milan skipper Alessio Romagnoli. However, no move happened as the defender stayed put AC Milan.

Alessio Romagnoli has been a consistent performer for AC Milan over the last few years. (Getty Images)
Alessio Romagnoli has been a consistent performer for AC Milan over the last few years. (Getty Images)

A product of AS Roma’s youth system, Alessio Romagnoli, 25, came to AC Milan in the summer of 2015. At the age of 20, he was seen as a crucial part of the club’s future. Since arriving at San Siro, the Italian has become a regular fixture at the back, having made 180 appearances across all competitions.

This season, Romagnoli has played 25 games in the Serie A. In what has been an inconsistent season for Milan, he has been one of the rare bright sparks. He signed a new deal at Milan in the summer of 2017, which keeps him at the club until 2022.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have been inconsistent for the majority part of the season, yet they are fourth in the table. Despite no new players arriving at Stamford Bridge in the last two transfer windows, Frank Lampard deserves plaudits for keeping the Blues in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard has done a stellar job with Chelsea this season (Image credit: Getty)

While Lampard has done a good job by blooding youngsters this season, there have been a few shortcomings the English tactician should address during the summer window. One of Chelsea’s glaring problems has been at the back, with Lampard’s side conceding 39 goals in 28 games.

None of Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma or Andreas Christensen has lived up to the required standards this season.

Rudiger has struggled with injuries, hampering his progress at the club. Keeping in mind Chelsea’s problems at the back, it stands as a no-brainer for Lampard to prioritise solving it ahead of the new campaign. To that end, the Chelsea boss should attempt to sign Alessio Romagnoli this summer.

A vastly experienced player, Romagnoli has made 225 appearances in his club career. He has represented Italy 12 times, scoring two goals. The 25-year-old is Milan’s skipper.

AC Milan skipper Alessio Romagnoli in action. (Getty Images)
AC Milan skipper Alessio Romagnoli in action. (Getty Images)

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Romagnoli has proven to be a reliable performer for Milan over the last few years and at the age of 25, he is entering the prime stages of his career. Thus, this may be the best opportunity to test himself in the physical and fast-paced English football. The former Roma defender would add depth and experience to Frank Lampard’s squad.

Verdict

Chelsea are in need of some fresh centre-back options next season and a highly-experienced defender like Romagnoli could be a great addition to the West London outfit if he can reproduce what he has done at Milan. Thus, the Blues must sign the Italian centre-back in the summer.