Is Barcelona’s Dani Alves the real Brazilian full back Chelsea should be looking at?

The 32 year old only a signed an extension to his deal at the Camp Nou in the summer, but already rumours have suggested Jose Mourinho is ready to swoop the defender. Chelsea have made a dismal start to the Premier League this season as they look to defend their crown. The 3-1 loss to […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-09-23 19:39:00

The 32 year old only a signed an extension to his deal at the Camp Nou in the summer, but already rumours have suggested Jose Mourinho is ready to swoop the defender.

Chelsea have made a dismal start to the Premier League this season as they look to defend their crown. The 3-1 loss to Everton two weeks ago sparked their worst start to a campaign in 29 years. Although they did beat Arsenal 2-0 last Saturday they still sit eight points off the top.

Many pundits and so called experts have been trying to pin-point where the West Londoners are going wrong and have come up with current right back Branislav Ivanovic as a common scapegoat. Granted, his form hasn’t been anywhere close to the previous few seasons and doesn’t even feature on the same scale as their title winning defence of last campaign, however is Dani Alves the answer to Chelsea’s woes?

Alves, has been somewhat of a patron for Barcelona since arriving from Seville in 2008. He has been a staple crop as such in the Catalan’s defence during their heady years under Pep Guardiola and now again in Luis Enrique’s treble winning side of 2014/15.  

You can’t imagine President Josep Maria Bartomeu and the Barca hierachy cutting ties with Alves in the immediate future especially as they had to put to bed rumours of a move to Manchester United with his new deal last summer. 

There is no denying Alves would fit into the Chelsea system and his added pace and agility could suit a more dynamic style of play with ex-teammate Pedro in front of him. However, one way Mourinho could rectify the situation is internally. Cesar Azpilicueta, came in to the club as a right back but due to Ivanovic’s excellent form saw him have to adapt to a spot on the left when Ashley Cole left for AS Roma. 

It is universally acknowledged that the Spaniard has adjusted to his new role with consummate ease and has made the spot his own, becoming one of the best defenders in the league if not in Europe. The signing of Augsburg’s left back Baba Rahman means they now have options in the full back area.

Alternatively if Mourinho did want to bring in someone, then he should look at someone slightly younger than the 32 year old Alves. The Brazilian is still openly one of the best attacking right backs in the world but if Chelsea wanted a Brazil international to add some verve then look no further than AS Monaco’s Fabinho. Standing at 6’2 he is unusually tall for a full back but uses this to his advantage as he was part of the Ligue 1’s best defence last season. He was also deployed in defensive midfield when his side played Arsenal in the Champions League. So perhaps it is not Dani Alves Mourinho should be looking at, at all but his 21 year old compatriot. 

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