Chelsea will be looking to sign quite a few players in this summer transfer window. Xabi Alonso’s appointment was a statement of intent. That being said, the Spaniard simply won’t be able to succeed with the squad available to him. It is quite clear by now that the roster is not good enough, despite having spent close to a couple of billion pounds on it.
So, reinforcements are needed all across the pitch. One of those areas might be left-back, with question marks over the future of Marc Cucurella. He is being linked with a return to Spain as well as a reunion with Enzo Maresca at Man City at the same time.
Cucurella is considered one of the best left-backs on the planet when in top form. So, finding a replacement for him won’t be simple.
For a little while, it had looked like Chelsea were going to sign Mateo Del Blanco. Reports in Argentina had suggested that. But they were not exactly on the mark, although, not far from it either. According to Fabrizio Romano, Strasbourg are leading the race to sign the Argentinian full-back.
Strasbourg and not Chelsea are leading race for Argentine left-back
I had previously covered reports about Chelsea being set to sign Del Blanco. And while he could remain under the BlueCo umbrella, Strasbourg looks set to be his destination instead.
In many ways, it makes sense. His release clause is only $2 million. So, it is a low-risk move. But at Chelsea, Del Blanco simply would not get enough chances.
Also, fans would not be impressed if someone like Cucurella ended up getting replaced by a $2 million signing. Whether you think that is right or wrong, that is how thinks are perceived in the world football. It is very much the reality of the situation.
Now, Del Blanco is not a name that most fans of European football would be aware of. That does not mean that he could not be a good signing for Strasbourg or a future Chelsea player down the line.
Del Blanco has put up elite numbers in Argentine
Some of the numbers that Del Blanco has been able to put up in Argentina are impressive to say the least. When compared to other defenders in the Argentine top flight, he is in the 99th percentile for dribbles, total shots, key passes and assists, and in the 90th percentile or beyond in several other categories.
That is the kind of statistical anomaly that you need to take seriously. And it appears that BlueCo have. Now, it remains to be seen if they can get the deal over the line.
Obviously, there is always an element of risk involved. Would Del Blanco be able to make the adjustment to European football? We will only know the answer to that if he ever makes the move to Europe.
But considering the performances he has been putting in in Argentina, it is very natural for BlueCo to be interested.