Chelsea are interested in Atletico Madrid's Nahuel Molina as a replacement for Reece James.
(Photo by JORGE GUERRERO/AFP, used with permission of Getty Images.)
Chelsea are interested in signing World Cup-winning right-back Nahuel Molina as a replacement/backup for Reece James, according to journalist Simon Phillips via Chelsea Dodgers (h/t Football.London).
After missing the World Cup due to a knee injury sustained in October, James suffered another injury in only his first game back against Bournemouth on December 27. According to reports, he'll be out for another month.
The England international has suffered several serious injuries in the last year or so. Looking at the numbers, the fullback will have missed 36 games in 13 months between December 2021 and the time he returns from the latest setback (Transfermarkt).
According to Football.London, the Chelsea hierarchy is concerned about the number of injuries James has sustained in the last year and is looking to sign a backup right-back. Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries has also been mentioned as a possible signing.
Another is Atletico Madrid's Molina. The World Cup winner had a successful tournament for his country and must be feeling confident right now.
The 24-year-old is a former Udinese and Rosario Central player who can play full-back or wing-back on either side. He has good offensive ability and is more than adequate defensively.
If Chelsea wants to sign him in January, they may have a problem because he joined Atletico in the previous summer window. Will the Spanish giants let the fullback go after only six months? I'm not sure about that, unless Diego Simeone isn't sold on the player or Los Colchoneros want to cash in on his recent success.
In any case, whether it's Molina or someone else, we need a new right-back who can fill in for James and then become his backup or competition in the long run. Even if the Englishman hadn't been hurt, this is a signing we should have made.
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