So it seems as though Chelsea won’t be resting on last season’s laurels as they are vehemently looking to sign Brazilian full-back, Alex Sandro.
The former Santos full-back became one the best wing-backs in the world at Juventus and had it not been for Marcelo, the de facto best left-back in the world, he would have been bossing the left wing for Brazil.
When he arrived in Italy, he was yet to reach his full potential with his defensive aspect of the game still unrefined. Right now, however, he is a complete left-back, and it is for this reason that Antonio Conte is desperate to bring him to the Bridge.
While Marcos Alonso did an admirable job for Chelsea last season, it can’t be denied that he is a little too limited to play week-in and week-out with the Champions League also in the frame.
Chelsea risk other teams finding out the Spaniard’s dearth—and that is something that could harm their title credentials given that the wing-backs are essential cogs in Chelsea’s three-man backline.
As Real Madrid showed last season, playing and winning multiple competitions requires a strong squad with a solid depth. Even the options on the bench have to be quality footballers capable of performing at a world-class level when called upon.
What once was a problem for Real Madrid (selection headache) is now a blueprint that Antonio Conte seems set to follow.
This season, Chelsea are back in the Champions League; hence, they’ll be challenging on four fronts.
The Blues were, in a way, lucky last season with only one competition to channel their focus. Hence, Conte didn’t have to worry about fatigue catching up with the players during the business end of the season.
This season, he has added headache as he will be definitely risking physical fitness should he not make any signings. Thus, it is understandable and necessary that he sees the signing of Alex Sandro as a need rather than a want.
Not much remains to be said about the Brazilian’s ability. However, we will bathe you with a flurry of stats that gives an inkling of his abilities.
Last season, he averaged 2.3 tackles, 2.1 interceptions, 1.9 key passes, 1.8 dribbles, 1.3 crosses and 3.7 long balls per game in the Serie A, higher than Marcos Alonso in every attribute.
The only thing Marcos Alonso had more than him was goals as the Spaniard finished with six goals as opposed to Sandro’s three goals.
Ever since Ashley Cole retired, the left-back position has been somewhat of a perpetual problem until Marcos Alonso was signed and utilised as a wing-back.
The former Real Madrid left-back might have had a solid first season with the Blues, but with Champions League football back at the club, it would be unwise of Conte not to prioritise the signing of Alex Sandro.
