Chelsea Transfers: Top 3 Left Backs Mourinho Should Target Including The Man United Bound Luke Shaw

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As it is eminent from his non-selection in the World Cup squad, Ashley Cole is now beyond his prime. There are chances that the controversial star will be offered a contract extension for another season, but by all means he’ll be a back-up for Jose Mourinho. This year Cesar Azpilicueta took the responsibility of playing as a wrong footed Left-Back, since he’s naturally a Right Back. Chelsea would have to bring in a natural left-back of top quality to play first team football. A natural left back would provide the width and direct attacking prowess in comparison to the defensive option of a wrong footed one. There are quite a few talented full-backs in the market and Chelsea should look to bring at least one of them to Stamford Bridge.

3. Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw has been splendid for Southampton and has impressed England manager Roy Hodgson to select him ahead of Ashley Cole. He can be a great replacement for the ageing star. At eighteen years of age, Luke Shaw is one of the hottest properties in the market and top clubs like Man Utd and Chelsea are fighting for his signature. Shaw has shown strong technical ability, athleticism and decision making skills and has grown in stature after bursting into the scene last year. He has had 37 interceptions, and won 58% of his duels, mustered 2 assists and has created 33 chances in 35 appearances in the league.

These stats prove that Shaw has a very bright future. The only issue here is that he’s overpriced. There have been recent rumours that Southampton rejected Man Utd’s £27m bid, something which gives us an idea how tough it will be to buy him.

2.  Alberto Moreno

The Spaniard has been recently selected in the Provisional World Cup squad and has a chance to go to Brazil. He has been really sharp for Sevilla and is a balanced left back. He goes forward providing width for the team and has had decent stats this season. Mustering 3 goals in 28 appearances in the league, Moreno has shown that he can contribute in scoring goals. He has also scored twice in the Europa League, in 11 appearances.

Moreno is young and energetic and is wanted by many teams from the Premier League. His strengths are the ones that stand out. His distance shooting, dribbling and crossing are his main technical strengths whereas he prioritises defensive work-rate and is intelligent to make key interceptions.

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

 

Dinesh V

Co-founder of Soccersouls. Living a start-up life 24/7 Follow @dineshintwit

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