Five alternative options for the Blues to replace Ashley Cole.Chelsea are widely reported to be closing in on the signing of another Atletico Madrid star this summer, with Brazilian left-back Filipe Luis set to join his old team-mate Diego Costa in swapping the Vicente Calderon for Stamford Bridge.
Read more Chelsea transfer rumours.
With the departure of the long-serving and highly influential Ashley Cole from Chelsea at the end of the season, Blues manager Jose Mourinho has been understandably keen to wrap up a deal for a new signing in that position quickly, but has he necessarily made the right choice with Luis?
At 28 years of age, Luis is not the youngest or most long-term option, and although he formed part of a highly solid back line for Atletico as they won the title last season, he could prove quite expensive at around £20m. See below as CaughtOffside looks at other possible targets that Chelsea could have pursued to fill the left-back slot this summer.
5) Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)
A rumoured target for Chelsea in the past, Jose Mourinho has reportedly kept an eye on the availability of one of his former players at Real Madrid, Fabio Coentrao. The experienced Portuguese international has always been a solid and reliable performer for Real during his time with the club, and could be a good addition to the Premier League. The likes of Manchester United have also been linked with him in the past, with a loan move to Old Trafford falling through late on last summer. Chelsea could maybe have done well to pursue a player two years younger than Luis, and who would probably be available cheaper due to Madrid’s supposed openness to letting him go.
4) Caner Erkin (Fenerbahce)
If Chelsea had moved faster they may have been able to snap up a quality left-back in Caner Erkin on a free transfer, before the Turkish international signed a new contract with Fenerbahce last month. The 25-year-old would be another younger and cheaper option than Luis, and while he hasn’t exactly got as much experience of playing in a top, competitive league, Erkin’s performances for club and country down the years have been highly impressive, and saw him linked with the likes of Liverpool and Roma as well this summer, before he committed his future to Fenerbahce.
3) Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon)
A World Cup finalist with Argentina after their penalty shoot-out success over the Netherlands yesterday, Marcos Rojo‘s reputation is growing fast this summer. The Sporting Lisbon defender, who can play either as a centre-back or left-back, would be a great signing for Chelsea as they look for options in both of those positions. Still only 24 years old, Rojo has his best years ahead of him, and has been identified as a top prospect by big clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool as well as Chelsea this summer. The Argentine full-back may not have been the cheapest option, but he certainly looks a good alternative to Luis as a long-term option at left-back for the Blues.
2) Alberto Moreno (Sevilla)
Linked with a whole host of top clubs this summer, Chelsea included, Alberto Moreno looks a terrific prospect after his outstanding displays for Sevilla this season. The 22-year-old is up there with the best young defenders in Europe at the moment, and has previously been linked with Liverpool and Real Madrid in potentially big-money moves, though he remains available after little progress in either deal. A highly attack-minded player from the back, Moreno would have been a great outlet out wide for Chelsea next season, and another more long-term option for them to replace the legendary Cole.
1) Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg)
Still only 21 years old, Swiss international Ricardo Rodriguez could lay claim to being the best young defender in Europe at the moment. The Wolfsburg man notched up a highly impressive five goals and nine assists from the back last season alongside his solid defensive displays in the Bundesliga. A superb talent, Rodriguez would surely fit in well at Chelsea and prove a great long-term acquisition, particularly with rival clubs such as Manchester United and Real Madrid also chasing him this summer. Rodriguez has also shown he can do it on the biggest stage of all, with some fine displays for Switzerland at the World Cup.