Ben Chilwell and Reece James have been at the heart of Chelsea’s success during their time at the club.
The proof of that is the fullback duo playing a key role in Thomas Tuchel winning the Champions League in Chelsea colours in 2021.
But, since then, Ben Chilwell and Reece James have been hit with injury after injury, which has resulted in them spending more time in the treatment room than out on the pitch.
As a result, Stephen Warnock has backed Chelsea to sign the ‘attack-minded’ Antonee Robinson from Fulham, as he told The Football Show on Sky Sports.
This isn’t a case of the England left-back no longer being good enough, but his injuries becoming such a constant theme that ‘consistency’ needs to be brought in.
Whether it be Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter or now Mauricio Pochettino, money has been splashed like no other and it seems that will continue – the January transfer window slams shut on Thursday 1 February, 11 pm (UK Time).
Antonee Robinson to Chelsea?
“You could say that about the last two or three managers because of their injury records, because of the style of play and the way that they play,” said Warnock on Chelsea being without Chilwell and James.
“The modern game is played with your fullbacks being your overlapping fullbacks or almost wingers. Does it come to a point where you are going to say ‘we are going to have to buy two new fullbacks who are of that mindset?’ They are attack-minded.
“The one who stands out for me, straight away, is Antonee Robinson at Fulham. He is your attack-minded fullback. Could he do a job at Chelsea? I believe he could. I think he is a very good player.
“What you are also getting with that is that you are getting consistency. I feel for Reece James and Ben Chilwell so much because I hate seeing players injured. It’s horrible.”
Chelsea’s current squad
Yes, Pochettino might be calling for reinforcements via the transfer market. Quite a lot of these players weren’t even signed when he was at the club.
But, at the end of the day, the squad is bloated and before any incomings, surely they need to get rid of players or just try to get the best out of what they have.
Robinson is an outstanding talent. He has a great engine on him and has pace to burn when driving forward with the ball.
But Chilwell is back in action now and he needs to be trusted to stay fit.
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