An argument could be made that Chelsea possess one of the strongest in the league at the moment. Comprised of a brilliant blend of experience and youth; world-class stars and emerging talents, all with a strong appetite for a place in Conte’s starting eleven, the squad is looking good. However, two positions where the blues may appear somewhat bare are the two defining and therefore crucially important roles in the new system: the wing backs.
At this moment in time, Chelsea have Marcos Alonso turning out what already looks to be a stellar first season in a blue shirt, along with Victor Moses in the form of his life after being given his shot this season. Ola Aina and, to a certain extent, Azpilicueta are the two players in the squad who could provide an option in these roles, but it is fair to say there isn’t much in the way of cover.
That may come as quite a worry right now, but reinforcements could be on the way in the shape of a young, English prospect. Perhaps a forgotten man amongst Chelsea fans, Todd Kane is working hard at Cobham’s training ground and could return from injury soon to be a perfect candidate to contend for the right wing-back position.
Kane has passed under the radar this season, most probably due to the fact that he has been unavailable for selection thus far because of a nasty ligament injury he suffered at the back-end of last season. However, the young Englishman and youth-cup winner is on the mend and is not to be overlooked, as he could play a very important role in the squad indeed.
Victor Moses has been a revelation at wing-back this season; since the first minute he was deployed there he has hardly put a foot wrong. It was a job he had never done before but the defensive side of his game has been surprisingly fantastic whilst his natural width and direct style of play result in him being a great asset going forward.
Moses could be a very important cog in Chelsea’s title challenge and he is surely a player Conte will want at his disposal all season long. But if an injury woe were to strike, the Italian technician will need somebody capable of filling the Nigerian’s boots. Ola Aina could well step up; he certainly has the favoured attributes to play the role with his pace and strength, but we haven’t really witnessed yet what he brings to the table in the final third.
Todd Kane has, to an extent, proven his credentials already. Much like his former captain at youth level and his potential teammate in the first team Nathaniel Chalobah, Kane has earned his stripes out on loan with plenty of first team football already under his belt. After consecutive spells in the Championship, the young full-back travelled to the Eredivise last term, where he quickly established himself as NEC Breda’s best players.
There he developed a reputation for being an attacking right-back, with his pace allowing him to aid the attack tirelessly. He was in truth one of the Loan Army’s standout performers last year and was touted with a return to the Bridge to fight for a place in the first team this season.
Despite his serious injury being a clear set-back, Conte doesn’t appear to have ruled out Kane’s emergence at Chelsea. The former academy player saw his impressive season last year rewarded with a three year contract in the summer, further suggesting his inclusion in Conte’s plans once fit.
Todd Kane came through the Chelsea academy first and foremost as a right-back, but from an early age he was never shy of getting forward when given the opportunity. Therefore, the wing-back position could fit his style perfectly. He has the defensive awareness to help him carry out his defensive duties, whilst his willingness to to get forward would be nicely complemented by the attacking license allowed in the system.
The mirroring position over on the left may yet need some reinforcing. Kenedy, Baba and Ake are all future possibilities but are currently on loan. Aina could fill in on the left and Jay Dasilva could be a surprise option if needed, but Conte may see that as an area to strengthen in January. with respect to the right hand side though, he may well look to utilise what he has as already opposed to scouring the market, and with good reason too.
So, though the wing-back positions may be looking like fragile areas in terms of depth at the moment, with Kane’s return, Chelsea fans will be pleased to see that there are more options, certainly on the right side, than they first thought.
