Chelsea eye 21-year-old American full-back to replace Azpilicueta

Transfer News: Chelsea eye Barcelona’s Sergino Dest as a replacement for Cesar Azpilicueta

According to ESPN, Chelsea are set to revive their interest in Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest as a replacement for club captain Cesar Azpilicueta if the veteran Spaniard leaves Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

The Blues have had a long-term interest in the US international and could be keen on signing Dest last year. The talented right-back has shown his potential on numerous occasions for Barcelona and it comes as no surprise that the London based club wants to sign him.

The future of club captain Cesar Azpilicueta is far from certain with the Spanish defender rumoured to be on his way out to Barcelona. Although the veteran is primarily a right-back, he has deputised at both centre-back and left-back many times during his ten years at Stamford Bridge.

While the Blues are keen on keeping their talismanic captain at the club for beyond this season and even have the option to extend his deal by a year. They are already lining up replacement options if the Spanish international was indeed to leave.

The American international has played 31 times for the Catalan club this season and provided 3 assists during this period. While these numbers are not anything too special to write home about, it is evident that Dest has a lot of potential.

Is Dest a good option?

Whilst there is no doubting Dest’s quality, Chelsea already have one of the best young right-backs in the world in Reece James and there is no way the Barcelona defender manages to get into the starting line-up ahead of the English international.

However, one thing that works in favour of the 21-year-old is the fact that he is equally adept at playing left-back and that is a place where Chelsea could do with reinforcements. Marcos Alonso is linked with a move away, also to Barcelona and that will leave Ben Chilwell, who is coming off a lengthy injury as the only senior option for the Blues.

In signing Dest, Tuchel will be signing a player for two positions and such kind of luxury is all that a manager can ask for. It remains to be seen if Barcelona are looking to sell their talented 21-year-old. Given his age, there is much to expect from the American international in the years to come.

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One stumbling block could however be the fact that the former Ajax youth star is injury-prone. Considering the number of injuries that Chelsea have suffered from this season, signing another injury-prone player is the last thing that Tuchel will want.

If Azpilicueta is to leave, there is no doubt the Blues will have to replace him. Whether Sergino Dest is the answer remains to be seen.