According to a recent report by Goal, Chelsea have identified FC Porto full-back Alex Telles, who is valued around £40m, as a back-up option if they miss out on Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell this summer. The same source has mentioned that Chilwell’s current contract at the King Power Stadium runs out in the summer of 2024 and so he won’t come cheap which could see the Blues turn their attention to Telles at the end of this campaign.
Telles’ Stellar Form In Portuguese Football
The Brazilian left-back has enjoyed a productive campaign in the Liga NOS after he put in several impressive performances for Porto in all competitions. He has scored ten goals and provided nine assists in 40 matches for Sérgio Conceição’s team this term across all fronts which goes to highlight his growing influence at the Estádio do Dragão.
Telles has averaged 1.2 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.2 clearances per game on the defensive end of this pitch. Offensively, he has attempted 1.4 shots, 2.0 key passes and 0.5 dribbles in every 90 minutes of league football for the Portuguese giants this season (stats via whoscored). The numbers do not lie and only serves as proof that he can make a positive impact at both ends of the field.
The 27-year-old has featured in a total of 183 matches for Porto, registering 21 goals and 52 assists in the process. Thus, he has nothing left to prove in Portuguese football and should welcome the opportunity for a change of scenery so that he can show what he is capable of at the highest level.
What Does The Brazilian Defensive Ace Bring To The Table?
Telles is one of the quickest full-backs in European football and can make some penetrative runs with the ball down the left flank. He excels at dribbling out of tight spaces and possesses the ability to whip in some inviting crosses into the opposition penalty area. Furthermore, the Brazilian talent is tidy when exchanging passes with his teammates in the opposition half. He has gradually transformed himself into a dead-ball specialist during his time in European football. His incredible productivity going forward, coupled with reliability in defence, make Telles a perfect package for Chelsea to consider in the summer.
Will Telles Be A Good Choice For The Blues?
The one-time Brazil international will bring a lot of goals and assists to Stamford Bridge, similar to what Marcos Alonso offers to the current Chelsea team. However, unlike the Spaniard, Telles is a competent defender inside his own half as he is not shy about getting stuck in with a few tackles to win the ball back. He is also capable of making some crucial last-gasp clearances for his side. Both Emerson Palmieri and Alonso has been far from consistent with their performances over the past 18 months.
Hence, Lampard should look to ship at least one of them out in exchange for a more proven full-back like Telles. The Brazilian will also give Lampard the freedom to tweak his formation during matches as he can also operate as a left wing-back if required. Switching from playing four defenders to three at the back and vice versa will give Chelsea an added advantage over most of their Premier League rivals. All in all, Telles will be an excellent choice for the west London giants as he will solve most of Lampard’s concerns at left-back.
