Chelsea is back in the transfer market after American billionaire Todd Boehly completed a takeover. However, Chelsea will have to accelerate their business activities since they arrived late. Moreover, a host of players are already looking at an exit from the club. Tuchel now wants to add their replacements as soon as possible. Moreover, apart from buying new talent, the manager will reportedly give a number of Chelsea’s academy players a chance in the first team. Many of their academy players who are out a loan have been heavily impressed and could reap the results of their hard work.
Till now, Chelsea has confirmed the exits of center-back duo Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. However, their full-backs of either flank Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are also tipped to leave in the coming weeks. Moreover, multiple reports have confirmed that both the players are in talks with FC Barcelona over a move. While Chelsea is in hot pursuit of Sevilla’s Jules Kounde to reinforce their center-back position, Tuchel also wants a full-back. Barcelona’s Serginio Dest has attracted Chelsea’s attention with the Catalans open to a sale. But Chelsea’s academy option could save themselves from splashing money in the market for a full-back.
Academy could be the answer to Chelsea’s full-back problems
Chelsea has an abundance of talent coming out of their academy every season. Mason Mount, Trevoh Chalobah, and Reece James are among a few academy players who have already established their place in Chelsea’s first team. Meanwhile, Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja, Billy Gilmour, Levil Colwill are some who impressed last season out on loan.
However, another name which has remarkably improved and impressed among Chelsea’s academy players is Dujon Sterling. The 22-year-old spent the last season on loan at Championship side Blackpool. Sterling has the versatility of playing as a center-back as well as a wing-back. Moreover, Sterling was a part of Tuchel’s pre-season plans before the start of the last season. The youngster displayed solid qualities, playing as a right center-back of the back-three and as a wingback.
Though he did not contribute much in the attack, Sterling was rock-solid for Blackpool in the center-back’s position. He amassed 30 plus in all the key metrics in tackles (38), interceptions (30), clearances (44), and aerial duels won (35). The academy player could solve Tuchel’s headache of shortage in options on the right side. Sterling could fit into Christensen’s position on the right side of the back three. Furthermore, Sterling has a bit of an experience in the Chelsea first-team as he debuted under the former manager Antonio Conte and played a couple of games.
On the other hand, though are open to Dest’s sale, the Spanish giants want over £20 million for the right-back. Moreover, Dest would also provide a lot more experience of playing on a high level than Sterling. But Chelsea’s fans are calling for the next Chalobah from the academy and Sterling could be the one. Tuchel trusted the academy defender Chalobah and handed him his debut last season. The 22-year-old is now a regular and reliable first-team player. Chelsea could repeat the same with Sterling, saving them a transfer fee of over £20 million.
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