- 20 hours ago
Revealed: Chelsea's January right-back options
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
- 3 min read
Reece James' knee injury has seen him miss out on England's 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup and has also provided Chelsea manager Graham Potter with serious problems on the pitch.
The Englishman's recent absence has seen Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic both trialled at right wing-back, with Potter keen to utilise the shape that served him so well at Brighton.
With James ruled out and watching from the sidelines, Chelsea have looked a far inferior side and it's been reported that Potter is hoping to delve into the transfer market in an attempt to fix the issues currently facing the Blues.
James also spent a lengthy amount of last campaign injured, yet no back-up was signed during the summer window, which is something that Potter wants to fix.
It's been widely reported that Chelsea are willing to give Potter time to build a project at Stamford Bridge, which means his wishes in the transfer window may well be granted, including signing a new right-back.
Who do Chelsea want to sign at right-back?
According to Simon Phillips, the Blues have drawn up a shortlist of potential options to challenge James' place in the starting XI and also provide cover during his injury lay-off.
READ: #PotterOut: Chelsea manager already in crisis
Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong and Olympique Lyonnais' Malo Gusto are among the names Chelsea are interested in signing, with both players impressing the Blues' scouts this season.
Manchester United have been linked with a move for both players recently, meaning Chelsea may face competition to sign either player from within the Premier League.
Something that will have no doubt attracted Chelsea's interest is the fact that Frimpong and Gusto are both currently playing in a back five system, with Xabi Alonso and Laurent Blanc both implementing this shape since taking over at Leverkusen and Lyon respectively.
Recent results have seen Chelsea slip to seventh place in the Premier League, with Potter's side now without a league win since mid-October and sorely missing the threat James provides down the right flank.
