Ricardo Rodriguez
The Switzerland left back is predicted to become the world’s best in a few years’ time. At age 21, Rodriguez has already shown a lot of attacking as well as defensive prowess at Wolfsburg. The stats are absolutely overwhelming when we consider the youngster. As most of us consider a flamboyant left-back as an attacker, let us look at Rodriguez’s defensive stats.
The youngster has had 62 interceptions and has tackled 103 times in 34 appearances in the league. He has immense technical ability to hold on to possession and link-up in offensive passing moves. Rodriguez’s attacking stats are known to almost everyone concerned in scouting a left back, as he has notched up 5 goals and 9 assists in the league. He has shown strong crossing, dribbling and vision in his attacking game-play whereas he has the ability to whip in attacking deliveries as he is an important set-piece taker in the team.
He also has the ability to work the keeper from a direct free-kick. Rodriguez is someone who is a strong defender as well as a creative flair player. With Mourinho declaring the need for two strong signings, which are obviously two star buys, we cannot rule out a surprise bid for Rodriguez. Unlike Shaw, Rodriguez has already started showing off his abilities as he is a good 3 years older. Rodriguez also fits the requirements at Chelsea- a hardworking left back who’ll defend for his life, a dangerous crosser and dribbler plus a regular set-piece expert along with being a typical direct attacker. Chelsea have always needed a set-piece expert after the departure of Mata as the aerial threat of the big Chelsea defenders was rarely utilised during the corners and set-pieces. Also, a young left-back, who has the legs to run back and defend would be Mourinho’s dream. At times when Mourinho would want a more compact team, he can use Rodriguez at left midfield where he’s equally comfortable.
Ricardo Rodriguez will be very costly. Transfermarkt.co.uk rates him at £17.5m, but we all know that Wolfsburg won’t let him out so cheap.
There haven’t been rumours about him joining Chelsea off late, but we can never rule out a strong and big-money bid from the super-rich west London club. Battling with Financial Fair Play, the Blues are expected to sell David Luiz to Barcelona with the bid rumoured to be 30m pounds. Rodriguez may or may not come to Chelsea, but it would be common sense to see that he’d be the one who fits perfectly in the Blues.
Stats via squawka