Alex Telles seems set to leave Porto in the summer of 2020. The left-back’s current deal expires in the summer of 2021 and the player is not willing to extend his deal at the Portuguese giants at this point. According to a leading sports betting agent, Chelsea are the closest to signing the former Inter man, even though the saga could well run down the wire.
To many, there seems to be an air of invincibility about Telles. A lot of it is because of his overall output. The Brazilian has come up with eight goals and five assists in the league for Porto this season- a tally that seems impressive for a left-back. Those numbers are very good but for a left-back, that should often be a red herring.
That certainly is the case for Telles, whose goal output figures have gone up since the 2016-17 campaign for Porto. But he isn’t the best player for overall contribution like a left-back would ideally be. And comparisons can be drawn to none other than Marcos Alonso himself.
Telles does create 2.2 chances per game, as per Soccerment – the best new betting site in UK 2020. And the Brazilian does that by completing only 0.5 key passes per game for his side. But like Alonso, there are a lot of things that can let him down.
He completes only one tackle per game- below the average of 1.1 for a left-back. He comes up with only 1.4 clearances per game and that is well below the average figure of 3.4 for a player of his position.
As per Whoscored, Telles gets dribbled past only 0.7 times per game but that comes from him getting involved in very less defensive actions. A comparison with Alonso shows that Telles does win on the basis of chances created and playing more forward passes than the Spaniard. But he falls back on the aerial duels and tackling. And that should ring bells for Frank Lampard.
Telles is a lot like Rob Gosens. The Atalanta man plays in an ultra-attacking system of a 3-4-3 shape under Gian Piero Gasperini. He scores goals- a lot like Telles. It is also crucial to remember that while Telles has scored eight goals, five of them have been from the penalty spot.
Technically, Telles has scored fewer goals than Alonso considering the former Fiorentina man doesn’t take penalties. That isn’t to play down Telles’ attacking ability but a truth that his numbers might be inflated.
One can’t deny his chance creation in any way. But to hide his defensive inactivity, Chelsea might have to stick to playing how they fit Alonso in. Playing a 3-4-3 shape allows Alonso more freedom to play to his strengths. It takes the defensive burden off him. But it doesn’t allow Lampard to play his preferred 4-3-3 shape because it can expose them down the left.
Telles might have played in a 4-4-2 shape at Porto under Sergio Conceicao, but his defensive inactivity can cost him in a much quicker Premier League. Playing a 4-4-2 allows full-backs the benefit of a winger playing deeper and it helps them defensively. That facility is hardly available in a 4-3-3.
Telles could be very good for a side like Juventus. Maurizio Sarri’s 4-3-1-2 shape demands full-backs to bomb forward and have lots of the ball. Since the central midfielders and narrow- like the forwards, full-backs have to cover a lot of distance in wide positions.
In that sense, Chelsea signing Telles would not help them too much. It isn’t like he’s a youngster who can develop. He is 27 and at the peak of his powers. He might be cheap because of his contract situation but will not solve too many of Chelsea’s issues.
