Finding Chelsea a new left-back... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔍" title="Left-pointing magnifying glass" aria-label="Emoji: Left-pointing magnifying glass">

This thread takes on the task of finding Chelsea a new left-back with it being a key area of focus in the next transfer window.

Graphs, radars and player picks https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">

Why do Chelsea need a new left-back?

It is likely to be a key area of focus for Lampard in the next window given the ways in which Alonso and Emerson have struggled at times this season.

Some background information here https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">

Option A - Ben Chilwell

Leicester City& #39;s left-back has been widely linked with a move and for good reason. His performances this season have been superb and he could be a top left-back in the coming years.

The chances of signing Chilwell are largely based on how much Chelsea are willing to pay for him. He& #39;s a player with highly desirable attributes and the likelihood of Leicester City letting him go for anything less than £50-60m is unlikely.

Time to look elsewhere?

Option B - Nicolás Tagliafico

Ajax& #39;s left-back proves to be a more affordable option than Chilwell and one that boasts vast experience in the Champions League. At the age of 27, though, he would need to perform pretty much instantly to be a sustainable option.

Tagliafico would likely bring a more balanced set of attributes than those currently seen by Alonso and Emerson, in addition to a tendency to score goals.

A move for the Argentine might be worthwhile if reports of around £20m are true.

Option C - Dwight McNeil

This is a bit of a wildcard option, but hear me out.

McNeil& #39;s time in the Premier League so far has shown him to be a creative outlet on the left but his added experience under Sean Dyche has taught him key defensive principles.

Whilst he primarily operates on the left in midfield, developing McNeil into a creative left-back would be an interesting experiment.

It& #39;s probably not something Chelsea have considered, but I personally think it would be exciting to see develop.

All three options have different pros and cons but it shows that Lampard has a key decision to make this summer. Does he go for youth, experience or long-term project?

RTs appreciated as always. #FootballIndex