Chelsea have joined Everton in the race to sign Real Madrid’s Sergio Reguilon.
Voted ‘the best left-back in La Liga’ last season, the Toffees lodged an £18million bid for Los Blancos’ academy product last week.
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Reguilon, 23, excelled on loan at Sevilla in 2019/20, helping the Andalusian club to a fourth place finish and securing Champions League qualification.
Chelsea’s interest may cast a doubt over their long-term pursuit of Leicester and England left-back Ben Chilwell.
The clubs remain miles apart in terms of Chilwell’s valuation, while the Foxes insist they will not be forced into selling one of their star assets.
Frank Lampard wants to strengthen his defensive options with neither Marcos Alonso nor Emerson Palmieri managing to make the left-back berth their own.
Real Madrid hierarchy rate Reguilon highly, but have a plethora of talent in his position, so would sell for the right price.
Asked about interest from big sides like Chelsea, the left-back told Marca: “If my year at Sevilla had not been good, then this would not be happening.
“These teams would not ring. If I am fine, the team is fine and the club is fine, everyone is happy.
“But I do not think about these possibilities now – I’m sorry if that sounds like a cliche.
“I’ve been saying since quarantine that until the season isn’t over I won’t be talking about my future. Until then it would be unfair on myself, my teammates and club.
“I have no complaints about anything, about the city, the club, my colleagues. I feel very loved. Who knows what will happen in the future.
Quizzed on the possibility of staying on loan at Sevilla for a further year, he added: “We should talk about that sitting quietly with Real Madrid, my representative, with everyone.
“When we see the possibilities for next year, let’s see what happens. I don’t know.”
Below, talkSPORT.com has looked at how Reguilon could fit in at Chelsea should he make the move to west London ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
How Chelsea could look with Reguilon next season
4-3-3
Lampard has identified signing a left-back as a priority this summer.
With Reguilon a far cheaper option than Chilwell it looks the more realistic option as things stands – considering Chelsea have already opened their cheque book to spend big money on Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Both players are expected to be part of a three-man attack next season, with Olivier Giroud leading the line until told otherwise.
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N’Golo Kante is a vital cog in Chelsea’s midfield, with Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount also crucial to Lampard’s long-term plans.
Reece James has enjoyed a breakthrough season and will make the right-back berth his own next season, something which Reguilon would also be tasked with on the opposite side.
Chelsea are also looking at reinforcements at centre-back, but Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger would get the nod in this side as things stand.
Cesar Azpilicueta has been an outstanding servant for Chelsea, but could have more of a squad role next season as James continues to develop.
3-4-2-1
While the aforementioned Alonso has struggled to hold the left-back spot down, he has impressed as a wing-back – a role Reguilon is more than capable of filling too.
With James flying down the other side, and a back three of Rudiger, Zouma and Andreas Christensen, Chelsea would look a decent proposition in that area.
Kovacic and Mount would also feature again, as would Werner and Ziyech, while it’s extremely unlikely that Tammy Abraham will overtake Giroud in the lone striker role – at least in the immediate future.
Conclusion
Ruguilon’s tenacious and passionate style both in and out of possession makes him the perfect left-back choice for any club that implements a high-pressing game in the modern era – something Lampard’s Chelsea are all about.
If he is able to improve his final ball and dealing with pressure situations more efficiently, he could become one of the most sought-after players in his position in world football.
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