VfB Stuttgart midfielder Borna Sosa is a more “attainable” substitute for Marcos Alonso than Brighton’s Marc Cucurella....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Because of the possibility that Marcos Alonso will leave the club this summer, the Blues are said to be looking for a replacement left-back.
A transfer to Barcelona this summer, according to recent sources, would be ideal for the Spain international.
Even though Chelsea still have Ben Chilwell, who returned from a long-term ailment with a goal in his final match of last season, they may still require an experienced backup.
It appears that Cucurella and Sosa are on the short list of possible successors. Because of his previous success in the Premier League, the former Brighton midfielder is considered a safer pick.
According to The Athletic, the 23-year-old is on the verge of joining Manchester City. Chelsea could pass on a potential bidding war for Cucurella in favor of pursuing Sosa, who i think is a “cheaper and more achievable” option than Cucurella. After apparently keeping tabs on the 24-year-old on a number of occasions last season, the Blues were impressed.
A left wing-back and fullback, Sosa was Stuttgart’s most prolific playmaker last season, with eight assists. If Alonso departs the club as many predict, Chelsea may likely increase their interest in the Croatia international. Despite this, the former Dinamo Zagreb player has signed a contract with Stuttgart until 2025.
Two returning loanees, Emerson Palmieri and Ian Maatsen, will provide further possibilities for Thomas Tuchel to evaluate throughout the preseason.
There are still two years left on Emerson’s contract at Chelsea, so the Blues may decide to cash in on the left-back, who spent the last season at Lyon on loan.
Maatsen, on the other hand, is a promising young defender who spent most of last season on loan at Coventry City in the Championship as a left wing-back in a back three.
Why is Borna Sosa a More attainable replacement for Marcos Alonso than Brighton’s Marc Cucurella?
Sosa is a versatile full-back who can play in either a back four or a back five as a wing-back. Aside from being a constant threat in attack, he has also performed admirably in defense this season, racking up some impressive stats along the way.
In attacking phases, Sosa does a great job of offering both height and width. That allows him to cross in regions where there’s room for him to do so. RB Leipzig’s Angelino and Hoffenheim’s David Raum are the Bundesliga’s second and third most prolific left-back crossers, respectively. Sosa has a lower volume and a lower completion rate than these two left-backs.
Sosa is gifted with a quick change of speed and exceptional ball handling skills. The Left-backs can be used to progress with the ball from deeper areas of their own half while relishing the chance to break through an opponent’s defence in a one-on-one situation. This makes him dangerous, as they can be used to break through the defense.
