Chelsea have been struggling to rediscover their form in their last few games and they could be dealt a huge blow in the winter transfer market as both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are reportedly willing to depart in January.
Injuries to starting midfielders N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic have taken their toll on Thomas Tuchel’s side, who could face problems in defence in the event the aforementioned Spanish duo leave the Blues in January.
As reported in the British media, both Azpilicueta and Alonso have asked their agents to find potential suitors in the winter transfer window, as they have lost prominence in the team following the emergence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
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Despite the Chelsea captain’s contract coming to an end in summer, the two parties have not reached a deal on a potential renewal, with Barcelona being reportedly interested in acquiring Azpilicueta’s services.
Following the emergence of James, Azpilicueta is no longer considered as Chelsea’s starter on the right, with Tuchel preferring Trevoh Chalobah as the right centre-back in his back-three.
He has started in just three of Chelsea’s last nine Premier League games, mainly to fill in for players who were out injured or lacked match fitness.
As for Alonso, the 30-year-old left-back was an undisputed starter in Chelsea’s first six Premier League games this season, but then lost his place to an in-form Ben Chilwell.
However, the England international picked up a serious injury against Juventus in the Champions League and Alonso is currently his only natural replacement in the squad.
Alonso, whose contract with Chelsea runs out in 2023, is looking to get more playing time elsewhere in the second part of the season in order to compete for a spot in Luis Enrique’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.
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