Alonso reportedly advocates for Alejandro Grimaldo, a former Bayer Leverkusen star who thrived as a left wing-back under Alonso. Grimaldo’s experience and attacking threat make him a strong candidate to fill Cucurella’s void, with teams viewing him as an ideal left-back option. Chelsea could also consider Valentin Barco, who is set to join from Strasbourg, or promote Jorrel Hato, who had a standout previous season, to bolster left-back/left-wing-back options.
Key insights:
– Chelsea to sign a new left-back after Cucurella’s departure; options include Alejandro Grimaldo and Valentin Barco.
– Xabi Alonso’s influence: Grimaldo’s statistics under Alonso (16 goals, 33 assists in 99 appearances) suggest a high-impact attacking profile suitable for a 3-4-2-1 formation.
– Position depth: Beyond Grimaldo, Chelsea may rely on Jorrel Hato and Barco to strengthen left-sided defense and provide versatility in wing-back roles.
