Two Alternatives For Danilo Who Chelsea Can Consider
Chelsea’s summer of setback is set to continue, after reports emerged that the club could lose out on another top transfer target.
As per reports from Sky Italia (via Metro), the Premier League champions are on the brink of missing out on Real Madrid right-back Danilo, with fellow English club Manchester City the front-runners to sign the defender.
The Blues have already suffered a similar fate earlier this window, when they looked poised to sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton, only to see him move to Manchester United. They also saw a potential transfer for Juventus full-back Alex Sandro hit a roadblock. There was some good news earlier this week when it was announced that manager Antonio Conte had signed a new two-year deal with the club, but he too will not be pleased with the developments on the Danilo front.
The Brazil international hasn’t been able to nail down a regular spot with the Spanish giants and is likely to move in the summer, with the Etihad likely to be his next destination. If that is how things pan out, here are two alternatives for Chelsea to consider instead of Danilo.
Cedric Soares (Southampton)
The 25-year old Southampton man will be the ideal fit for Chelsea, considering his experience and his proven mettle in England. Cedric, since joining the Saints in 2015 from Sporting Lisbon, has established himself as the preferred right-back at the St. Mary’s and hasn’t let the fans miss Nathaniel Clyne, who joined Liverpool. Last season, he played 30 league games for the South Coast club, registering 3 assists.
A consistent performer down the right-hand side, Cedric’s stock has risen greatly in past two years. The Portuguese international offers defensive stability to the backline and also great support in the attack. He will be a solid option to have in the ranks.
Serge Aurier (PSG)
The 24-year old maybe headed for an exit, after Paris Saint-Germain captured Dani Alves for free earlier this month. With Thomas Meunier also ahead of Aurier in the pecking order, chances are unlikely to come by, prompting him towards leaving. Despite his disciplinary problems, the Ivory Coast international remains a great talent and has loads of experience already. In the 2016/17 season, he played 32 games in all competitions, bagging 5 assists.
Strong, with great stamina and pace, Aurier has the ability to create chances in plenty and score too, while he backs it up with solid defensive nous. At 24, he still has his best years ahead of him and will help Chelsea to a great extent if signed.