2019/20 should go down as a positive season for Chelsea when all things are considered.
Frank Lampard took charge of his first season in the Premier League after losing star man Eden Hazard and a transfer ban preventing them from finding any replacements.
Mason Mount, Reece James and others have all improved throughout the campaign and perhaps even overperformed expectations set out for them at the beginning of the season.
But with the season now over, there are several areas that need addressing and solving the left-back issue surely ranks towards the top of Lampard’s transfer list.
Both Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri have struggled defensively this season and frequent use of a 3-4-3 system has been used to mask that to some extent. The full-backs prove more adept in an attacking sense than they do out of possession which has a knock-on effect for an already vulnerable backline.
With those factors in mind, adding a left-back who can provide similar attacking output but more defensive security may be high on the agenda.
One player that stands out more than most is Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell who is reported to be nearing a move to Stamford Bridge after a summer-long pursuit from the Blues.
The 23-year-old was a key part of an impressive 2019/20 for Brendan Rodgers’ side in a system that demanded high output from the full-backs. Along with Ricardo Pereira at right-back, Chilwell performed well across the board and it should be no surprise that he has been lined up for a big-money move.
One aspect worth considering from Chelsea’s perspective when recruiting a left-back this summer is how well versed they are in adapting to different roles.
While it could be expected to see Lampard revert to a back four more consistently with defensively secure left-back next season, relative success with a 3-4-3 shape means that shouldn’t be left out of the equation.
If the Blues do finalise a deal for Chilwell, they would be signing a player who has considerable experience in an advanced full-back role that may suggest he can adapt between traditional full-back and wing-back.
As shown below, his action areas from last season - relative to each zone’s success - provides an insight into how frequently he was involved in attacking positions on the left-hand side of the pitch.
Ben Chilwell’s actions by zone in the Premier League, 2019/20 (Image: Twenty3)
What the above tells us is that the full-back was frequently involved in both attacking and defensive phases of play last season. Both of those aspects will be things that appeal to Chelsea considering their need for more balance between defence and attack.
The numbers registered by Chilwell in an attacking sense illustrate that he is particularly impressive in key areas of the pitch that would be expected of both a full-back and wing-back.
Any potential of Chelsea using a 3-4-3 formation could see him used as a wing-back (or inverted full-back) and providing well-rounded abilities in such a crucial area of the pitch would be invaluable.
A proven ability to supply attacking players in key areas of the pitch adds another attractive attribute to the 23-year-old’s game which could partly fill the goalscoring threat lost by Alonso, if he were to leave.
Indeed, Leicester have held out for big money for Chilwell and a deal would appear to have been facilitated as a result of the Foxes' failure to qualify for the Champions League. But the combination of Chelsea’s need for a left-back and Chilwell’s well-rounded abilities, he looks worth every last penny.
