Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and transfer chief Marina Granovskaia could be forced into more January activity than they had initially planned after Ben Chilwell sustained an injury against Juventus on Tuesday. The Blues’ wing-backs have been pivotal to the club’s early success this season as Tuchel’s side fly high both domestically and in Europe.
On the opposite flank, Reece James had a markedly more enjoyable night after his superb half-volley helped Chelsea towards a resounding 4-0 victory.
Trevoh Chalobah, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Timo Werner also got in on the action, but the three points were soured somewhat by Chilwell’s injury.
N’Golo Kante also hobbled off, leaving a slightly bitter taste in Tuchel’s mouth ahead of a crunch clash with Manchester United this Sunday.
With Chilwell set to receive the results from a scan which will reveal the extent of his worrying injury, Express Sport looks at three left-backs who Granovskaia could go after in January.
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Nicolas Tagliafico
Tagliafico has been linked with a move away from Ajax for what seems like an eternity.
Only making his first foray into the European game at the age of 26, the former Independiente full-back has impressed amongst the Dutch side’s hoard of talented youngsters.
Now approaching his 30th birthday, Tagliafico cannot boast the same longevity as his team-mates, but he certainly has the pedigree to do a job for Tuchel and Chelsea should Chilwell’s scan reveal the worst.
With 36 caps for Argentina and a £16million valuation to his name, Granovskaia could see herself tempted by a seemingly reasonable transfer proposal.
Ryan Bertrand
As the old cliche goes, Bertrand cannot be written off for the simple fact that he ‘knows the club’ better than most.
After signing as a 16-year-old, the England international was part of the Chelsea set-up for a full decade before he eventually fled to Southampton.
On the south coast, he established himself as a solid Premier League left-back, and it was enough to tempt Leicester into luring him in during the summer.
Things have not exactly worked out since though, with manager Brendan Rodgers seemingly unconvinced, therefore a reunion could very much be feasible if the Blues are strictly looking for a short-term solution.
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