Chelsea’s worst fears have come true: on December 28, the club confirmed that full-back Ben Chilwell is expected to miss the rest of the season, needing surgery on his knee. As a result, the Blues are likely to enter the market for a replacement left-back.
As per the club’s statement, the England international will be required to undergo surgery on his knee after suffering an injury during their Champions League tie against Juventus in late November. The Englishman could be ruled out for the remainder of the season, which, in turn, could force the club to enter the market in search of a replacement left-back.
The Blues have in-house options available to assess before they decide to dip into their transfer kitty. Young academy graduate Ian Maatsen, spending the season on loan at Championship side Coventry City, has been linked with a premature return in recent weeks.
However, as per The Athletic, it is unlikely that the club calls him back to fill in for Chilwell, especially with no Premier League experience. Similarly, Emerson Palmieri is spending the current campaign with Lyon, but the Ligue 1 side has a clause to sign him permanently at the end, complicating things for Chelsea.
As it looks increasingly likely that Chelsea will have to dip into the January market to sign cover for the left-back position, that is solely Marcos Alonso’s at present, one name that has been linked in recent weeks is that of Lucas Digne.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have made their first approach to Digne’s camp, signalling their interest in a player who finds himself on the periphery of the Everton first team after falling out with manager Rafa Benitez.
Furthermore, as per Romano, Chelsea are also interested in Sergino Dest of Barcelona, who remains linked with a move away from the club, and Nicolas Tagliafico of AFC Ajax, whom they considered an alternative to Chilwell in the summer of 2020.
Chilwell’s loss is bound to hurt Chelsea in their title chase. The England international had firmly established himself as Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice left wingback before disaster struck and had contributed with three goals and an assist in 12 appearances.
