Chelsea are interested in making a move for Juventus full-back Alex Sandro, who could be allowed to leave the Italian side in the summer. The Brazilian left-back has been at the club since 2015 and has racked up over 185 appearances in all competitions.
As per the Express, Juventus are looking at swap deals in the summer. One player that the Italian club’s manager Maurizio Sarri likes is Chelsea full-back Emerson, whom he managed when he was at the Blues.
Alex Sandro could perhaps move the other way with Emerson moving back to Italy. Sandro joined Juve from Porto in 2015 for €26 million and his current contract with the club expires in 2023.
Alex Sandro: A smashing move by Lampard?
One problem area for manager Frank Lampard at Chelsea is the left-back position as he does not seem to be happy with the two options at his disposal – Marcos Alonso and Emerson. Both left-backs have been overlooked at times by the Blues manager, with captain and right-back Cesar Azpilicueta filling in at that position on many occasions in the 2019-20 season.
Emerson has not been consistent and had a few injury issues, while Alonso’s defending is not good enough for a team like Chelsea. The Blues have been linked with a move for England international Ben Chilwell, who currently plays for Leicester City. But, the Englishman would possibly cost a lot of money after putting in good performances over the last two years and with Leicester on the rise under Brendan Rodgers, various suitors have been wise not to get their hopes high.
Alex Sandro could be a decent option for Chelsea, a player with vast experience of playing in the Champions League and Serie A, while also being a Brazil international. The 29-year-old is an attacking full-back who has pace and confident dribbling abilities, while also possessing good awareness in attack and defence displaying a balance Lampard has been craving for on the left.
Capable of playing at left-back or left midfield, Alex Sandro likes to bomb forward, making overlapping runs on the left side. He has averaged 1.4 dribbles per game and 2.6 long balls per game in the Serie A this season. He is also a good passer from the back, averaging 61.8 passes per game in Serie A for Juventus.
The Brazilian would undoubtedly be a big upgrade over Alonso and Emerson, and would add another dimension to Chelsea’s attacking football under Lampard while also solving a weekly selection worry for the young English manager.
