Chelsea have registered interest in Leroy Sane as the Blues look to explore a potential deal with Bayern Munich in what would see the German become Thomas Tuchel's fifth non-defensive left-footed player at the club.
The west Londoners are reportedly preparing to propose one of three players in a bid to prise the 25-year-old winger away from the Bundesliga champions and to the European Champions, according to the Express.
Tuchel is said is be a big fan of Sane and is reportedly keen to seal the Germany international's services, despite the Blues' array of attacking talent already at his disposal.
However, the transfer of Sane would follow the arrival of Saul Niguez, who also happens to be left-footed, joining from Atletico Madrid on an initial loan spell with an option to buy.
The Spain international became just the second left-footed central midfielder that Chelsea have signed under the Roman Abramovich era, following in the hallowed steps of Nemanja Matic.
Should Chelsea seal Sane's services, he would join the non-defensive left-foot gang comprising of Romelu Lukaku, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and, of course, Saul.
The latter's integration into the side offered an initial glimpse into the insight behind Chelsea's transfer plan and tactical blueprints as Tuchel plots his pursuit of the Premier League title.
With Sane now on Chelsea's transfer radar, it fuels the conversation as to whether Tuchel has wittingly eyed an innovative avenue of tactical possibilities to optimise the unorthodox number of left-footers at his disposal.
A recent study found that just 12.1% of all people, let alone footballers, were left-footed, highlighting the rare opportunity for Chelsea to optimise such a high concentration of world-class left-footers.
By offering a greater depth and variety to the progressive ball carriers and goal creators in the side, Tuchel is able to engineer an exciting number of new attacking avenues to explore rather than being restricted to an often orthodox build-up.
With a new-found secret weapon in the Blues' armoury; Chelsea will be able to switch possession to fuel overloads more fluidly, they'll create more angles on deliveries and the opposition's anticipation will be swayed in transitional phases.
Chelsea fans have already been given a taster into the importance behind having a creative left-foot in the side after Frank Lampard signed Ziyech from Ajax, and then Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen.
Under Lampard, a philosophy that he focused on was the ability to promptly switch the ball to overload possession and to create angles on passes.
The Blues' all-time top goalscorer soon grew frustrated after his side couldn't quite meet those demands, and it was no coincidence that the arrivals of Ziyech and Havertz soon came around.
Speaking in November 2020, after Lampard pioneered a 4-1 win over Sheffield United, he commented on the need for Ziyech's left-foot by alluding to the unique opportunities it creates for the team.
"You see quality left-footed players and there is something sweet about them generally," said Lampard. "In football we always think that about them. As a coach you see someone who can find a pass as a lefty you tend to see that.
"He’s brought a different element to our game. He sees the pass and has no fear to try the pass even if he’s missed the last one because he’s trying to play game-changing passes regularly. I think there are a lot of parts to his game."
If Sane were to instigate a move to Stamford Bridge, Tuchel would be able to add a fourth dimension to Chelsea's play hosting a new wavelength for Blues fans to tune into.
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