Chase Chilwell or look elsewhere? Assessing Chelsea's left-back targets

Chelsea are chasing another winger and striker this summer, yet the capture of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax addresses the former problem somewhat. The priority for Blues boss Frank Lampard now is to bring in a new left-back. Lampard hasn't been afraid to chop and change in the role, with Emerson, Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta all operating at left-back at one stage or another over the course of the season. 

That he'd rather use right-back-by-trade Azpilicueta at left-back than consistently choose between Emerson and Alonso speaks volumes of the lack of confidence Lampard has in the latter duo and both have been heavily linked with a summer exit from Stamford Bridge. With it obvious that Chelsea are aiming to land a new left-back, the Blues have been linked with a host of defenders across the continent. However, who would be the best fit of those rumoured to be on Chelsea's radar and would they be an upgrade on Emerson or Alonso? 

Ben Chilwell - Leicester 

A majority of Chelsea's attacks in the Premier League this season come down their left flank (39%) so a solid offensive option from left-back is a necessity. Ben Chilwell has been heavily linked with a move away from Leicester for the best part of 12 months, so much so that the Foxes are rumoured to be scouring the market for his successor. Chelsea have been monitoring Chilwell's development at the King Power Stadium as they seek to boost their English core. 

Reports on Wednesday suggested Chilwell is Chelsea's number one left-back target, but with the Foxes asking for up to £85m for the 23-year-old, is the youngster worth such a hefty fee? There's no denying that Chilwell is a talented individual, but two goals and three assists, three of which came in their 9-0 win at Southampton in October, isn't the best return for an attacking full-back in a side that has scored the third most goals (58) in the Premier League this season. 

1.2 key passes per 90 is a fairly modest return for Chilwell, however an 18.5% cross success rate, excluding corners, falls below Alonso (25.8%) and Emerson (19.5%), though the former has attempted more crosses (81) than the other two combined (72). With Azpilicueta arguably the more defensive of the two full-backs, a left-back with a greater attacking output is vital and for £85m, Chelsea could arguably do better in the market than the Foxes man, though much of that is dependent on whether Lampard is looking to bring in another young England international. 

Nicolas Tagliafico - Ajax 

Could Chelsea use their Ajax connection to improve at left-back? With Hakim Ziyech on the way already, the Dutch club have already admitted that key stars Donny van de Beek, Andre Onana and Nicolas Tagliafico will be sold this summer provided Ajax's valuation for the trio is met. In the latter, that could be as low as £20m. The Argentine has his admirers across Europe, with Barcelona and Arsenal both keeping tabs on Tagliafico, while Chelsea have supposedly courted the 27-year-old. 

Given Ajax's rumoured asking price for Tagliafico, he'd be a more financially viable option than Chilwell and his European experience would stand him in good stead at Stamford Bridge. Three goals and four assists is a solid return in the Eredivisie this season, while 1.1 key passes per 90 is slightly lower than Chilwell. 

What's crucial too is that Ajax, like Chelsea, rely heavily on attacking down the left, with a majority of their attacks this season coming from the left flank (39%). It has seen the Dutch giants develop a statistically calculated WhoScored style of play of 'attacking down the left' with Tagliafico benefitting from this approach. Indeed, his cross success rate excluding corners is a commendable 26.3%, which has seen the Ajax ace gain a WhoScored strength of 'crossing'. Of course, the Premier League is arguably more challenging than the Eredivisie, but a familiar face would go a long way to helping Ziyech settle in London and see the Blues improve at left-back for a relatively modest fee in today's market. 

Alex Telles - FC Porto 

A rumour that refuses to go away, Chelsea supposedly lead PSG in the race to sign FC Porto's Alex Telles with the Brazilian again impressing in Liga NOS this season. Indeed, Telles has eight goals and five assists for Porto this term, an excellent record for a left-back regardless of his side's stature. The 27-year-old has previously plied his trade in one of Europe's top five leagues, albeit in a forgettable stint with Inter in 2015/16, so would fancy another crack of the whip in the spotlight. 

However, Telles' numbers in the final third are skewed somewhat in that he is Porto's primary set-piece and penalty taker. Indeed, of his eight goals, six have been from the spot, while four of his five assists have been from corners. At the time of writing, Chelsea don't need a new penalty taker, with Jorginho on spot kick duties, but a designated set-piece taker would be welcomed. Indeed, Chelsea have registered just one assist from corners this season, and while only 13 of Telles 45 key passes have come from open-play, there is arguably a place in the squad for a left-back of the Brazilian's ilk. 

And even still, Telles has a cross success rate, excluding corners, of 22.8%, that lower than Tagliafico and Alonso, yet better than Emerson and Chilwell, but it depends whether Lampard is looking to add an attacking full-back who offers more from open play or if he is aiming to secure the services of an additional set-piece threat. If it is the former, then there are perhaps better options than Telles in the market. 

Robin Gosens - Atalanta 

The outside pick of the four left-backs to have been linked with a move to Chelsea, Robin Gosens isn't the stand out choice of the options, yet that shouldn't turn the Blues away from considering the Atalanta star. The German has seven goals and five assists for this free-flowing Atalanta outfit this season and his performances, evidently, haven't gone unnoticed. Having not attracted the same fanfare as the above three, Gosens has come in under the radar yet his form in Italy this term means links with a high profile summer switch shouldn't come as too big a shock. 

Playing in a more advanced wing-back role compared to Chilwell, Tagliafico and Telles, Gosens has greater license to attack the opposition penalty area, and it's this reason why his attacking stats stand him in better stead. All but one of his seven goals have come from open play, while none of his five assists have come from a set-piece situation. 1.4 key passes per 90 from open play is better than the other three linked with a move to Chelsea, but that is to be expected when afforded the opportunity to operate higher up the pitch. 

The inexperience of playing at left-back is what weighs against Gosens. Lampard has used a three-man defensive setup at times this season, but he favours a flat back four and this could be the reason why Chelsea opt against a move for the 25-year-old. That's not to say he doesn't deserve to be linked with a big money switch away from Atalanta, rather he is best suited in a system that plays to his strengths. 

Conclusion 

Without needing to break the bank, there is a top-quality left-back in the market that would improve Chelsea. Nicolas Tagliafico has earned ample admirers for his solid showings for Ajax in both the Eredivisie and the Champions League, where he is the only defender to land a perfect 10 rating in a match this season, doing so against Lille. Having already landed Ziyech from the Dutch powerhouse, Chelsea could do much worse than return to Amsterdam with a bid to convince Ajax to sell Tagliafico who, on the whole, would be an upgrade on their current options.