According to reports, Chelsea have received a huge transfer boost in their search of a potential full-back in FC Porto’s Alex Telles. The player’s agent has publicly accepted Chelsea’ prior interest in the player expressing his desire to see Telles play in Chelsea someday. And following Chelsea’s frustration with the long-term target of Juventus’ Alex Sandro, the Blues could well make a move for the player.
Antonio Conte hasn’t been a happy man with the way Chelsea have gone about their transfer activities, and now with the side commencing on their pre-season tour in few days, the Blues are desperately gathering the missing pieces of the puzzle. And their defence has been an incomplete work last season despite Conte’s improvised tactics winning them the title.
The London club sure had a brilliant run in the league with hardly any missteps on the way, but one cannot deny the fact that their exclusion from European campaign and early ousting from EFL Cup had paved the way nice and smooth for their perfect league run. Conte hardly had to change his first eleven the whole season, and his success formula worked wonderfully.
However, now with more fixtures on the table and their playing style no more alien to the opponents, Conte would need a plan B and more importantly a strong bench to adapt to the emerging challenges. While Marcos Alonso had a brilliant debut season in England, he sure had his bad patches when Conte hardly had any alternatives as Cesar Azpilicueta was holding the central defence.
The Italian had realised the void quite early and their hot pursuit of Juventus’ Sandro is evident of that. However, now with the Brazilian looking to extend his contract with the Serie A giants, they are digging up other options to fill that position. And Telles’ availability could be a major encouragement.
Telles’ agent Fernando Otto has said, “For now, we have nothing. Not from Chelsea. Neither me nor the player received any contact from any English club but it can happen because the market opens tomorrow… I don’t know if it’s going to be this season or the next. But I feel like one day he can play for Chelsea.”
The 24-year-old Brazilian international made his big move to FC Porto last summer itself and has been a regular for them. He managed to get 32 league appearances under his belt and assisted eight times in them. Clearly, he is an instant impact player who could give proper competition to Alonso in the left-wing back position.
