Chelsea had two late bids rejected for Brighton starlet Zak Sturge in the winter transfer window
According to Goal’s Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella on Twitter (h/t football.london), Chelsea had two late bids for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Zak Sturge rejected in the winter transfer window, which shut on Monday earlier this week.
In a season that has seen the Blues lose left-back Ben Chilwell to injury for the rest of the season, a defensive cover was a priority in the January transfer window. However, the club sat tight and did not bring in any new players last month, despite their injury worries.
However, it is not for lack of trying, as it was reported that Chelsea saw their approaches for Sturge rejected twice towards the end of the transfer window. With this, the club are still without appropriate cover for Chilwell, with senior defender Marcos Alonso the only natural left-back left in the side.
With the second half of the season all to be played, the club is one injury away from a full-blown defensive crisis, especially if Marcos Alonso is also set for a spell on the sidelines. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is aware of this and has recalled Kenedy from his loan spell in Brazil to provide cover defensively at left-back, despite the player being a winger.
A late approach?
Despite being inexperienced in the Premier League, Brighton starlet Sturge clearly appears to be one to watch out for, if a club like Chelsea were interested in recruiting the defender to see them through the end of the season. Although it was unlikely that the left-back would be incorporated into the first team, the player could have been relied on in case of an emergency.
It remains to be seen whether the Blues will go back in again for Sturge in the summer when his contract expires. However, a move to a European side seems most likely for the player with Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg keeping a keen eye on developments.
With a signing at left-back almost necessary more than a priority for the Blues, it raises the question as to why the club did not work harder to make a move for a defender in the winter transfer window. There are multiple trophies up for grabs towards the end of the season, and a fully fit squad is required to win them all.
Fans would have been expecting a new left-back coming in through the doors at Stamford Bridge last month, but instead saw the club recall Kenedy, who has barely featured for Chelsea. Instead, we hear about late bids for a teenager falling through for the club, which is downright embarrassing for a club with a stature like ours.
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The club went for yet another youngster in Dylan Williams, who does not even play for a top-flight club. This looks like a top signing for the academy, rather than the first team. The former Derby man may be a talented player, but what we require is an experienced player who can step up to the responsibilities that a defender playing in the Premier League is expected to handle.
Hopefully, our summer recruitment turns out to make up for a disappointing showing in January. We will also be praying for a situation where we regret not signing a cover at left-back when the season ends and have no trophies in hand.