Chelsea are reportedly keen on Barcelona star Sergi Roberto as Antonio Conte continues to scour for potential addition to the right wing-back position.
According to ESPN, Chelsea are reportedly keen to acquire the services of Barcelona star Sergi Roberto. The Blues are yet to table a bid for the reformed full-back. But, Antonio Conte has expressed his desire to move for the Spaniard with the Italian intent on adding to the options at right wing-back.
Sergi Roberto started his career as a midfielder and was only recently shifted to fill the right-back slot, after the departure of Dani Alves, especially with Aleix Vidal unable to become the replacement for the Brazilian – as was touted.
Sergi Roberto is 5’10”, 25 yrs old, good passer, can play RB or CM. Might be an OK fit in Conte’s system. But has been inconsistent at Barca pic.twitter.com/sLuVBGxXqD
— Cobham Blues (@cobhamblues) July 24, 2017
And the player has impressed in what was a new role for him. Roberto put in matured performances and was Luis Enrique’s first-choice right-back, with 32 league appearances and 6 assists to show for his efforts.
However, Ernesto Valverde – new manager at the club – has shown his intention to field the player back in midfield and has already signed Nelson Semedo to fill the potentially void right-back slot. Roberto, too, despite his displays at right-back, could be looking to return to his more natural midfield role.
Chelsea, though, could be set to rain on Barcelona’s parade. Antonio Conte has been left frustrated by his club’s failure to land a player to provide competition to Victor Moses in the right wing-back position – Danilo and Benjamin Mendy both opted to join the blue half of Manchester.
And while Roberto may intend to revert back to a role in the midfield, he can combine both the roles at Chelsea as a right wing-back.
The player could play a more advanced role compared to the right-back slot and his deployment as right wing-back could see him focus less on the defensive aspect and more on the attacking side of the game, something which could tempt him to jump ship.
(@joseluiscarazo):
Chelsea wants to sign Sergi Roberto (24). The English club is willing to trigger his 40M euro release clause. pic.twitter.com/MTAJuizXmZ— M·A·J (@UltraAutistic) July 24, 2017
The player’s contract is reported to have a £37.5 million release clause – an amount Conte could indicate his Board to shell out to land the Spaniard.
At 25, the player can command the position for the coming years and could also prove to be an additional option for cover in the midfield slot in the wake of injuries.