Mauricio Pochettino is now beginning to think that Chelsea may need to sign a new defender this month.
That is according to transfer speculation this week.
The Blues are set to lose a left-back option from their squad with Ian Maatsen, 21, tipped to be leaving on loan.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed earlier today on X that Maatsen’s signed a two-year contract extension with Chelsea ahead of a switch this week to Borussia Dortmund on loan for the rest of the season.
There’s now a suggestion that Maatsen’s imminent exit could tempt Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino into signing a new left-back.
The Evening Standard reports today that Chelsea are weighing up if they need a new left-back because of the gap Maatsen will leave.
It is explained that Pochettino is actually ‘increasingly open’ to signing a left-back.
We’ve seen several players fill into the Blues left-back spot over the course of the season so far. It would be great to have some kind of consistency, though.
Mauricio Pochettino open to signing new left-back
Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella are the two recognised senior left-backs in the Chelsea squad, but both have already missed large spells of the campaign out through injury.
We’ve seen Levi Colwill move across from centre-back to cover in the left full-back position several times. Right-back Malo Gusto has covered on the opposite flank recently, too.
Our preference would be to reassess the left-back spot at the end of the season when the summer window comes around.
For now, there’s enough in the squad to get through the campaign. Chelsea confirmed via their official website that Chilwell is now back in full team training ahead of his return from injury.
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