The versatility of the Brazilian will be a boon to the Stamford Bridge side, but it is the quality of the Juve man that will really improve the Blues
Antonio Conte asked for a wing-back, a player who could help them to immediately compete in the Champions League, and Chelsea appear to have got him one.
Alex Sandro is one of the top three left-sided defenders in the world and has improved his game so much at Juventus that he now ranks amongst Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba as the best in his role.
Chelsea spotted that Sandro could be tempted into a £60 million move to west London after noticing his relatively low wage at the Turin giants.
Conte will be able to work with a fast, attacking wing-back who will be ideal in his 3-4-3 approach. Sandro will help add quality in attack as Conte’s formation is designed to overload their opponents as the wing-backs join the front three in a five-man attack.
Sandro is also good in the air and in one-versus-one duels. The latter is was a weakness of Marcos Alonso, the man who occupied the position last season and who was beaten on several occasions by quick attackers.
Alonso could even line up alongside Alex Sandro, as the former Porto star is able to play higher up the pitch if needed. Conte could also use him in a back four, with the Juve ace comfortable enough in the rearguard to increase his defensive responsibility.
In Italy, the news that the Brazilian will likely move to Stamford Bridge has gone down like a lead balloon. Juventus know exactly what they are losing, and although Massimiliano Allegri managed to replace Paul Pogba, find a man to fill Sandro’s void could be trickier, with fewer players of that type available on the market.
The Italian was losing faith in Chelsea’s transfer chiefs but they have made a statement by bringing in his manager’s first-choice player in a position that he wanted to be strengthened. The deal should be completed later this week, as well as one for Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who will replace Asmir Begovic on a free transfer.
Chelsea will, therefore, send a £100 million message to the Premier League and their rivals in Europe. The Blues can attract the best players in the world and want to win everything next season – in line with their manager’s lofty ambitions.