Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is considering a January move for Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez.
Despite having better luck in defence after switching to a 3-4-3 in recent weeks, reinforcements are absolutely required in that back line. Chelsea veteran Branislav Ivanovic has been dropped from the first team, with Cesar Azpilicueta lining up alongside David Luiz and Gary Cahill in a 3-man defence. Victor Moses has become a makeshift right wingback.
With Kurt Zouma and John Terry yet to return to full fitness, the other options available to Conte are Chelsea youngster Ola Aina, who despite impressing in pre-season has only made fleeting appearances so far this season, and summer acquisition Marcos Alonso. While Aina is certainly set for a long term future with the Blues, Antonio Conte is yet to be convinced by Alonso.
According to TMW, the Italian tactician is unhappy with the Spaniard and will look to bring in reinforcements in January in the form of summer target Ricardo Rodriguez. Chelsea were one of the clubs interested in the Swiss ace in the summer, but failed to make a move happen like for many of their targets before him, resulting in the last minute transfer of Marcos Alonso.
According to the report, Rodriguez, who is a target for European heavyweights like Roma, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid is unhappy at Wolfsburg and hasn’t ruled out a January switch.
The 24-year-old is a currently in the midst of a 4-year-contract with the German giants which runs until 2019. Since joining from FC Zurich in January 2012 as a 19-year-old, Rodriguez has gone on become of the best fullbacks in the world.
He has since made over 150 appearances for Die Wolfe, scoring 20 goals in the process. He is highly regarded for his attacking threat and his superb stamina and work ethic. He is also regarded as a free kick and a penalty specialist, adding another dimension to his attacking arsenal.
Such are the qualities that make him perfect for Antonio Conte’s 3 man formation, but the Blues know that it will be difficult to lure such a player in January, without the promise of Champions League football, with the summer likely being the more realistic option.
