Chelsea Need Cover as Chilwell Ruled Out for the Season
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Results have not been great for Chelsea in recent weeks and they have been dealt another blow with the news Ben Chilwell is to miss the rest of the season.
The full-back established himself in the starting XI ahead of Marcos Alonso and was making key contributions at both ends of the pitch prior to the injury.
Having had a scan on the knee which has ruled him out of Chelsea’s recent matches, the club have decided the best thing to do for the long term is for Chilwell to undergo surgery.
The statement coming out of Stamford Bridge said, “After a knee injury in the match against Juventus the Chelsea medical department, in collaboration with their knee specialist, took the decision to attempt a conservative rehab approach.
“Unfortunately Ben was unable to progress and so collectively the decision has been taken to proceed this week with a surgical repair.”
It is bad news for the England international and leaves Chelsea with just one recognised senior left-back as they enter the second half of the season.
The January transfer window is just around the corner and Chelsea may decide to make a move for a left-back as Alonso is not going to be physically able to play in every game until the end of the season.
There is also the possibility Alonso will pick up an injury and that would leave The Blues without a senior left-back. The question is, who could the club buy in January to ease the load on Alonso?
While it is not ideal to sign a new player when the injured player is sure to come back into the starting XI next season, the likes of Saul Niguez and Callum Hudson-Odoi are not the answer if Chelsea want to push for the Premier League title this season.
Italy international Emerson Palmieri could be recalled from his loan spell at Lyon in France but it is understood he could make the move permanent in the summer and recalling him from the loan would jeopardise the future transfer.
So, looking at the transfer market, who could come in and do a good job for Chelsea and then compete with Chilwell for the position when he returns next season?
Everton’s Lucas Digne could be the man and he is not only suited to the position and has experience in the Premier League but he could be available. Digne has not featured for Everton recently and Rafa Benitez could be willing to cash in on the French international, with a fee of around £25 million believed to be acceptable.
There is also the possibility Everton would allow Digne to join Chelsea on loan until the end of the season. The Blues would have to pay a sizeable fee and possibly all of Digne’s wages for that to happen but Thomas Tuchel may consider it worthwhile as Chilwell will be back next season.
Sergino Dest and Alex Moreno are two players who have also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge but Digne ticks all the right boxes and is likely to be first choice.
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