Why Fode Ballo-Toure could solve the left-back issues of Chelsea
As per Foot Mercato (h/t The Express), Chelsea are interested in signing Monaco left-back Fode Ballo-Toure in the summer.
Ballo-Toure, 23, came through the ranks of Paris Saint-Germain’s youth system. After failing to make it to the French champions’ senior set-up, he moved to Lille in the summer of 2017. After an impressive one and a half seasons, Monaco signed him in January 2019.
Since then, he has become an integral member of the club and enjoyed an impressive debut season at Stade Louis II. His impressive performances have also garnered the attention of Bundesliga sides Schalke and RB Leipzig, as per the report.
The Blues have done a decent job throughout the campaign. Though they struggled with inconsistency, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has managed to take his side to a respectable position. Despite struggling with a lot of injuries to key players, the manager got the best out of the youngsters.
Young Tammy Abraham has led the attack brilliantly, scoring 13 goals so far. The likes of Mason Mount, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi and other youngsters in the team have also contributed immensely.
However, the Blues were restricted from making any signings last summer and little business was done in the winter. Thus, Lampard should make sure that there is depth in every area by bringing in reinforcements this term.
Apart from strengthening the attacking unit, the manager should also focus on strengthening the backline. The defence has not been up to the mark, with only Antonio Rudiger doing a decent job in the heart of Chelsea’s defence.
Ballo-Toure – A future left-back for Chelsea?
While a central defender is necessary for the Blues, they should also make sure to bring in a left-back at the earliest. Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri are the two left-backs available at the manager’s disposal.
Emerson has failed to convince the manager and has been left out of the squad on several occasions. And Alonso, though he has done well in the last few weeks, has not been up to the mark. And the report suggests that both of them could be on the move in the summer.
In that regard, signing Ballo-Toure would a good option for the club. The Frenchman has been in good form this season despite his side’s lacklustre performance. He has featured in 21 games so far and has proved his worth at left-back.
He has been a regular member of the French U21 squad and his inclusion to Lampard’s side would be a massive boost. Ballo-Toure could also develop himself under the guidance of Lampard and could represent the Blues in the long run.
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Verdict
Given the lack of quality at left-back, Chelsea need to strengthen themselves there. And Ballo-Toure could be a valuable player for the team if he is able to continue with the fine form. He is just 23 and could be a future player for them. Thus, the Blues must beat off competition to lure the French U21 international to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
