If Chelsea’s move for Alex Sandro collapses, is second choice Alex Telles a good alternative?

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Despite ongoing speculation that a deal is increasingly close, The Sun claim that French giants Paris Saint-Germain could threaten Chelsea with a late move for Juventus left-back Alex Sandro.

The Brazilian is set to become the world’s most expensive defender when he leaves Turin, but Chelsea are thought to be concerned that the French outfit may be able to offer a more attractive financial package.

As such, the Blues have made a £22 million move for Porto full-back Alex Telles. The Brazilian was signed by the Portuguese club as a replacement for Sandro when the latter made his move to Italy, and Chelsea could now look to him as an alternative.

The 24-year-old is understood to be keen on a move to the Premier League after spells in Turkey, Italy and Portugal since leaving his native Brazil, and would offer many of the same attributes that Alex Sandro can put on the table.

A well respected set piece taker as well as an excellent crosser, Telles clearly has the key skills required to adapt and fit into Antonio Conte’s system as a left wing-back. Ten assists from 39 games in 2016/17, five more in three less games than his compatriot, just go to show that he is a potent attacking threat.

However, like current first choice Marcos Alonso, Telles also boasts a strong defensive record. With an average of 2.5 interceptions per game, way above the average for a top European player, he shows his strong ability to read the game well. Rarely caught out of position despite his marauding runs down the flank, Telles is an intelligent player who never shirks his defensive duties.

The biggest challenge for Telles could in fact come merely in the fact that he is not Alex Sandro. To have come so close to signing a left-back who starred in his teams run to the Champions League final and become the world’s most expensive defender, any other option would seem a disappointment to Chelsea fans.

That would be a harsh judgement on Telles before he even begins his potential career at Stamford Bridge, particularly given that he has all the right abilities to shine in the Premier League. However, if Chelsea do miss out on Sandro, Telles will have some convincing to do.

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