David Alaba would be a top-class addition for Manchester United (Getty Images)
Reporter Guillem Balague while speaking in his YouTube channel (h/t The Sun), revealed that Chelsea are interested in Bayern Munich star David Alaba.
Alaba is one of the top players in the Bayern Munich side, having won 20 honours with them which include 8 Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2013. Alaba has been one of the key players responsible for Bayern’s undisputed dominance in the domestic league and also making them one of the top sides in Europe.
Having made a massive 372 appearances for Bayern, there is no questioning Alaba’s experience to play consistently at the highest level. He is also a star within his national side Austria, having made a total of 72 appearances to date.
A versatile player, Alaba has played in a multitude of roles at Bayern Munich, where he has spent the major portion of his career. Primarily a left-back, Alaba has played in central midfield, centre-back and on the flanks for the Bavarian giants.
Injury to main man Niklas Sule and the poor form of veteran Jerome Boateng has seen the 27-year-old being deployed in the heart of Bayern’s defence this season. Also, the sudden rise of youngster Alphonso Davies at left-back has seen the more experienced Alaba taking on the centre-back duties to make way for the youngster.
A pure talent, Alaba also won the Australian Footballer of the Year award six times consecutively from 2011 to 2016. However, Alaba’s current contract at the Allianz Arena expires next summer.
That said, Chelsea, who are in the lookout for a new left-back have shown interest in the versatile Austrian. The report also suggests that Blues boss Frank Lampard is an admirer of Alaba’s versatility and experience in the backline.
Meanwhile, the left-back role has turned out to be a problem position for Lampard this season. The Englishman had to rely on skipper Cesar Azpilicueta to carry out the duties on the left despite having Marcos Alonso and Emerson in that role.
Chelsea have had a successful outing this season in the Premier League, with the side staying fourth in the table. However, Lampard has to sort out his issues at the back if Chelsea are to stay on top in the longer run. Hence, Lampard should continue his hunt of the versatile Alaba, who has proved his credentials as a consistent player for a top club like Bayern.
Chelsea boss Lampard is clearly unsatisfied with the set of left-backs in his side as it has been evident from his team selections this season. Considering that, who better than Alaba, who has won almost everything with Bayern Munich. Moreover, his versatility will offer Lampard plenty of options to play him according to the team’s requirements.
