Chelsea could be offered a cheap route to securing one of their main transfer targets in 2023 as Graham Potter makes plans for personnel changes at Stamford Bridge. The manager is currently working with an assortment of players at a mid-season camp in Abu Dhabi but doesn't have a natural senior play that is fit to play right-back.
Reece James is currently injured and isn't yet fit to play in matches despite returning to training and Spain international Cesar Azpilicueta was only knocked out of the World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday and won't be back until later this week. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been used at wing-back this season but he is also struggling with injury and is undergoing treatment, football.london has learnt.
This leaves Trevoh Chalobah, but he has been used sparingly as a wing-back and full-back during his career and will be needed in central defence.
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Among the 12 academy players that travelled, Dion Rankine is the best fit for the position, and he has been involved with Potter's training previously, but looking forward he is unlikely to be used once first team players return. This isn't a new issue for Chelsea, as Thomas Tuchel was in a similar position once James was injured last year, but he failed to get another player through the door.
The same can be said over the summer as well. Chelsea identified the position but didn't get anyone over the line, leaving them desperately short of cover for James, and it has already proven costly. That could change as early as January though, with summer target Denzel Dumfries remaining an option.
The Dutch full-back has been impressive at the World Cup so far and stood out in the 3-1 win over USA with a goal and an assist. His attacking metrics were cited as reasons why Chelsea didn't press ahead and pay £40million for him, but 26-year-old has continued his solid form in Serie A.
With Inter Milan facing continued financial issues, Italian publication Corriere dello Sport report that he is amongst the players that could be sold in order to ease the pressure on the club. It could also happen as early as January, which would hand Chelsea a perfect chance to make up for past mistakes and offer Potter some much needed leeway.
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