According to a recent report by The Daily Express, Chelsea are in pole position to sign Alex Telles from FC Porto this summer. The same source has stated that the Blues are leading Paris Saint-Germain in the race to acquire the services of the Brazilian full-back during the summer transfer window. It is believed that Frank Lampard is on the lookout for a new left-back and has identified the Porto wide player as a potential target in this off-season (via The Daily Express).
Telles’ Outstanding Form For Porto This Season
Telles has enjoyed a fantastic season at the Estádio do Dragão after putting in a series of productive displays for Sérgio Conceição’s side down the left flank. He has registered ten goals and nine assists in 40 matches for the Portuguese giants this term across all competitions which showcases his remarkable consistency going forward.
The 27-year-old has averaged 1.5 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 1.3 clearances, 1.2 shots, 2.1 key passes and 0.7 dribbles per game in the Liga NOS and the UEFA Europa League this season (stats via whoscored). His stats highlight his growing influence at both ends of the field which has made him such a firm favourite among the Porto supporters.
The ex-Galatasaray full-back has only earned one senior cap for the Brazilian national side. Telles made his international debut for Brazil in a friendly match against Panama back in March last year. Maybe a summer switch to the Premier League could provide him with a bigger stage to prove his worth and catch the attention of Tite ahead of next year’s Copa America which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Will The One-Time Brazil International Add To Lampard’s Team?
Telles can use his pace and composure to cause all sorts of problems for the opposition down the left-wing. He is not shy about having a pop at goal when given time and space in the attacking third. The Brazilian can also pick out a decisive pass going forward and is a dangerous dribbler with the ball at his feet. What makes him such an excellent full-back is his ability to defend valiantly inside his own half. The Porto wide player is a reliable presence at the back as he can read the danger quickly, which allows him to make some crucial interceptions and last-gasp clearances for his side.
Telles ticks all the right boxes in terms of what Lampard demands from his full-backs. He has all the skillset required to be a grand success at Stamford Bridge if Chelsea can win the chase for his signature before the start of the new campaign. The South American sensation will not only add more pace and creativity to Lampard’s first-team but also enhance the overall quality of his squad. He could even turn out to be a significant upgrade over Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri at West London in the years to come.
At 27, Telles is currently playing at his prime which the Blues can look from over the next few seasons. He will also help the London giants compete for some major silverware if Lampard can find a way to bring him to England this summer.
