We’re a year on from Reece James and Ben Chilwell picking up injuries that totally derailed Chelsea’s promising season. In the time since, a good backup for Chilwell was signed, but nobody was brought in to help on James’ side, and inevitably it’s him who has been injured again.
Once again the Blues have scrambled to find solutions for the two months or so that the England star is out. But it has been a sharp reminder that a proper backup is needed.
We expect Todd Boehly and co. to act on that as soon as they can in January.
Their move for Denis Zakaria – while it hasn’t worked out for the player – shows that those upstairs are more than happy to make short term moves to help the group this year, even at the expense of some wages.
We would be stunned if a right wing back isn’t brought in, either a cheap option or a loan, in the next window.
