Chelsea have wasted no time in getting a head start with their summer transfer business.
First, they secured the signing of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax. Then, Timo Werner arrived from RB Leipzig. Now, it seems, Frank Lampard has prioritised the signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, but there are strong indications that a new left-back is also near the top of the shopping list.
It is, after all, one of the most obvious weak points in the Chelsea team, with neither Marcos Alonso nor Emerson Palmieri securing their place on the left side of the Blues defence last season.
Ben Chilwell was mentioned as a target, but Leicester City’s £80m valuation of the England international has made a deal difficult.
More recently, Sergio Reguilon has been put forward as a potential solution to Chelsea’s left-back problem, with Spanish publication AS claiming the Blues are leading the pursuit of the 23-year-old.
With this in mind, Blues fans must have enjoyed Reguilon’s performance for Sevilla in Sunday’s Europa League semi-final victory over Manchester United.
Reguilon shone for the Andalusians. His energy and dynamism was central to Julen Lopetegui’s game plan, showing Chelsea just what they’d be getting if they were to make a move.
It was Reguilon who provided the assist for Suso’s first-half equaliser, producing the pivotal moment that ultimately turned the match in Sevilla’s favour. Indeed, the 23-year-old demonstrated many of the qualities that have made him such a success on loan from Real Madrid this season.
Technically adept and comfortable on the ball, Reguilon didn’t just provide an attacking outlet down the Sevilla left, he was involved in much of their general play. According to the website WhoScored.com, only Ever Banega (110), Jesus Navas (88) and Joan Jordan (78) registered more touches of the ball than the left-sided full back (75).
Reguilon also managed three crosses in the game, one of which led to the Sevilla equaliser. He gave the Spanish side width higher up the pitch through his mobility and willingness to burst into the final third.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is renowned for his defensive capabilities, but this was one of the most difficult evenings he has endured as a Manchester United player.
Of course, the point could be made that Chelsea already have a left-back who can provide crosses and runs into the final third. This has, after all, always been the strength of Alonso’s game. But unlike Reguilon, Alonso offers next to nothing in a defensive sense. With Alonso in the team, Chelsea are frequently exposed in wide areas.
Faced with one of the most potent attacks in English football, Reguilon made two tackles, two blocks, an interception and two clearances as Sevilla by and large kept the likes of Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford quiet. He is by trade an attacking full-back but would give Chelsea some much-needed defensive cover, too.
Lopetegui has always managed to get the best out of Reguilon, going back to when the defender was given his first chance at Real Madrid under the now Sevilla boss.
Zinedine Zidane, the current Real boss, isn’t quite so keen, sending Reguilon out on loan this season. That suggests a deal could be done if Chelsea are serious about the Spaniard, who clearly proved his worth and quality against United.
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