Five replacements for left back Filipe Luis at Chelsea
Premier League champions Chelsea, 13/8 with Coral to retain that title, are looking a little light in the left back position following former back-up option Filipe Luis’s return to Atletico Madrid.
Jose Mourinho is now expected to be scouring the transfer market for a full back replacement to support adaptable first pick Caesar Azpilicueta. Here are five fantastic options Coral experts have come up with…
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United)
Cresswell’s rise from Liverpool youth ranks to League One Tranmere Rovers and Championship also-rans Ipswich Town before eventually finding himself in the top tier with West Ham United has attracted much attention.
The 25-year-old has previously been mooted for moves to both Manchester City and Chelsea, and would undoubtedly challenge Azpilicueta for the starting berth, as well as crucially adding to the Blues’ homegrown quota. Yet, the prospect of sitting on the sidelines may not appeal and could keep Cresswell at Upton Park.
Alex Sandro (Porto)
Jose Mourinho’s previous Porto links could come in handy here, though swashbuckling Sandro, still only 24, would likely command a hefty pricetag.
Chelsea are adept at prising talents from Portugal, and the Brazilian would make exciting back-up, though the Dragons may be loathe to lose another defender after seeing Danilo depart for Real Madrid.
Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)
Versatile talent Coentrao, who once famously missed out on a Manchester United switch by minutes, has been long overdue to leave Los Blancos after falling firmly behind Marcelo in the pecking order.
Having already worked with compatriot Mourinho at the Bernabeu, the Portugal international could be a useful addition able to fill numerous holes for the champions, should he fancy a new challenge.
Andrew Robertson (Hull City)
Scotland international Robertson was hailed as one of Hull’s top prospects when he inked a deal last summer, showing glimpses of his talent in a bright start, before fading and falling out of favour at the business end of the season.
A return to the top tier should be imminent, however, with clubs said to have been sniffing around long before the Tigers’ tumble into the Championship, and Mourinho could make a project out of the promising defender.
Alex Telles (Galatasaray)
Having apparently been put off by Augsburg’s asking price for Abdul Baba Rahman, the Stamford Bridge side (8/1 to win the Champions League) have reportedly turned to Turkey to take a look at young full back Telles.
Another bombastic Brazilian and future Samba star to add to Chelsea’s growing contingent, the 22-year-old would be a cheaper option and perhaps the most likely to be happy to bide his time on the Blues’ bench.