Why Chelsea must make a move for FC Basel’s left-back Blas Riveros
Back in October 2019, 90min (h/t The Sun) claimed that Chelsea were planning to sign Basel youngster Blas Riveros in case they failed to sign Ben Chilwell in January. However, the Blues neither managed to sign Ben Chilwell nor Blas Riveros last month.
Chelsea are allowed to sign players in the January transfer window after their ban was uplifted last year. However, the south Londoners failed to bring in new players, meaning Lampard will have to complete the season with the players he currently has at his disposal.
Lampard’s young squad have gone through the highs and lows in the Premier League this season and seem to be inconsistent in their performances after playing well for quite some time. They lie fourth in the table but the likes of Tottenham and Sheffield United are just four and five points respectively off the Blues.
Chelsea’s defence has been an area of concern this season, with Lampard’s army leaking 34 goals in 25 games so far. Kurt Zouma has not been at his best since returning from loan and Fikayo Tomori has faded after a bright start to 2019/20 campaign. Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are still a long way behind before building a strong partnership at the back.
The left-back position has also been problematic, with neither Marcos Alonso nor Emerson Palmieri cementing their place in that spot. Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta has had to shift from right-back to that position, but with the Spaniard ageing, Lampard must strengthen the left-back area in the summer without any second thoughts. That being said, Chelsea must revive their interest in Blas Riveros.
Riveros, 22, came through Club Olimpia’s youth ranks but could only make 3 appearances for the senior team. In 2016, he moved to Switzerland to join FC Basel. His breakthrough came in the 2017/18 season and since then, he has been in fine form.
The Paraguayan has made 13 appearances across all competitions this season, assisting once. Though he is just 22, Riveros has already earned five caps for his national team. The left-back has played 86 times for FC Basel so far which just tells how far he has come since his breakthrough campaign three years ago.
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Riveros would bolster Chelsea’s defensive ranks, whilst bringing competition for Alonso and Emerson. At Chelsea, he can surely grow to be a complete defensive package if he keeps putting in the hard work.
Verdict
With young guns such as Tammy Abraham, Reece James, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori breaking through at Stamford Bridge this season, there are no doubts about Riveros succeeding in unlocking his true potential under Lampard. All in all, the Blues must definitely attempt to recruit the Paraguayan international.
