Ashley Cole is a superb player, but the England international can’t go on forever and there will come a time when Chelsea need to replace him. That time could be sooner rather than later, though, as the Mirror are reporting the Blues are interested in signing Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez.
The 21-year-old is apparently seen as the long-term replacement for Cole, but having seen him play a few times this season I firmly believe that he could push Cole out of the team, just like Cesar Azpilicueta has done this season.
Rodriguez has been involved in every single Bundesliga minute for Die Wolfe and has been incredible in every aspect of the game. The 30 chances that he has created has been bettered only by playmaker Diego and he’s already chipped in three goals – an impressive amount for a defender.
Not only has he averaged seven defensive actions per game, but he has also won 75% of his 60 tackles, been successful in 40/48 of his take ons and won 47 headers.
He often acts as a winger as he has the pace, the power and the willingness to run at players to cause trouble in the opposition areas, and he’s already had 18 shots at goal – 11 of which have hit the target.
This player really is an impressive outfit and if Chelsea manage to snap him up then they will have some player on their hands.