Chelsea are pushing to strengthen their right-back choices forward of the January switch window after captain Reece James suffered a knee damage that’s anticipated to maintain him sidelined for round three months.
James has endured a number of vital damage issues all through his profession, elevating issues about his long-term availability and forcing Chelsea to contemplate other ways of managing his workload. Each Xabi Alonso and his predecessor, Enzo Maresca, have beforehand deployed the England worldwide in midfield in an try to cut back the bodily calls for positioned on him at right-back.
Nevertheless, Chelsea confirmed on Thursday that James had undergone surgical procedure for what the membership described as a minor knee damage. The process is predicted to depart the 26-year-old out of motion till 2027, dealing a setback to Alonso as he prepares for a demanding interval of the season with out certainly one of his most vital gamers.
In keeping with TEAMtalk, Chelsea are actually exploring the potential of recruiting Benfica teenager Daniel Banjaqui, who has emerged as a number one goal forward of the January switch window.
The Blues had been already contemplating a midfield signing after promoting Enzo Fernandez on deadline day in the course of the summer time with out bringing in a direct alternative. James’ newest damage may now encourage the membership to evaluate further choices at right-back, though a transfer for Banjaqui just isn’t assured.
The 18-year-old has regularly labored his manner into Benfica’s first-team image, making three appearances this season. His progress has attracted curiosity from a number of Premier League golf equipment, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham additionally reportedly monitoring his improvement.
Banjaqui is known to have a launch clause price roughly €45 million in his contract. That valuation has not prevented curiosity from rising, though Benfica are reportedly eager to retain the extremely rated defender as they proceed growing his potential.
Regardless of the damage setback, Chelsea are usually not with out alternate options at right-back. Malo Gusto stays an choice, whereas summer time signing Marco Palestra, who arrived for €50 million, supplies one other potential answer.
The provision of these gamers means Chelsea are usually not essentially underneath speedy stress to recruit one other defender. Nonetheless, the membership’s strategy to recruitment has steadily concerned concentrating on younger gamers with vital long-term potential, even when competitors for first-team alternatives is intense.
Banjaqui may due to this fact attraction to Chelsea as a participant who can develop throughout the squad whereas providing further depth ready affected by James’ recurring health issues.
Alonso has beforehand indicated that James’ damage just isn’t anticipated to change the membership’s January switch plans. Nevertheless, the scenario may nonetheless affect Chelsea’s evaluation of their defensive choices because the window approaches.
With Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham additionally reportedly excited by Banjaqui, Chelsea may face competitors in the event that they determine to pursue the Benfica teenager. For now, the defender stays a possible goal fairly than a confirmed signing, with the Blues anticipated to proceed evaluating their choices earlier than making a call.
