After failing to lure in Alex Sandro in the summer transfer window, Chelsea are reportedly readying a massive £70m bid as they aim to sign the highly rated Brazilian fullback in January.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Alex Sandro remains head coach Antonio Conte’s number one target, despite failing to convince him to a move to Stamford Bridge this summer. Sandro could become the most expensive defender in the history if the Blues do attempt to sign him for a staggering £70m in January.
But do they really need him?
The Blues already have Marcos Alonso as the number one left wingback for the club. Alonso has done a fine job since arriving from Fiorentina last summer. Despite Chelsea being criticized for paying too much for Alonso, the Spaniard completely silenced the critics with some excellent performances in the English top flight.
He is evolved as a classy left wingback who can use his technical abilities to help his team in the final third. Given the form that Marcos Alonso is in at the moment, one would question Chelsea’s willingness to sign Alex Sandro.
However, Alex Sandro is one of the very few left backs in the world who can actually be an upgrade to Marcos Alonso on the left flank.
Although the Spaniard has proved to be a real handful for the opposition defences, the former Fiorentina man struggles to provide necessary defensive cover at times, which ultimately results in opposition finding space down the left flank.
Sandro can prove to be a solution in that regard. Many regard him to be the second best left back in the world, second only to Brazilian compatriot Marcelo of Real Madrid. The 26-year-old is a complete, all-round defender on the left side of the defence. Not only can he provide attacking spite, but is also very solid in defence as well, unlike Marcos Alonso.
Furthermore, Alex Sandro is a tactically astute player, who can slot in at any given formation. He played in a back four system at Porto but later he was shifted into a wingback role at Juventus, with their three/five pendulating back four. Alex Sandro will easily fit into Antonio Conte’s three at the back defensive formation at Chelsea.
While there’s also a chance that we might as well see both Alex Sandro and Marcos Alonso in the same lineup, given the former’s past experiences playing as a right back.
Overall, Alex Sandro will definitely be a stunning acquisition for the defending champions. However, the Brazilian seems a little too expensive for a defender. Although there are no doubts over his qualities of being a world class fullback, Chelsea could use the sum in bolstering their attacking options.
