The Englishman could be replaced by Wolfsburg’s Rodriguez.
After impressing greatly at Wolfsburg this season Switzerland international Ricardo Rodriguez has emerged as a transfer target for Chelsea, according to the Mirror.
The Blues are looking for a long-term replacement for stalwart Ashley Cole who has started to show signs of age and inconsistency this season.
As a result manager Jose Mourinho has been looking into other options and has even experimented with Cesar Azpilicueta on the left side of defence, as well as Ryan Bertrand.
However, neither has impressed enough to hold the spot on a permanent basis and the performances of Rodriguez makes the 21-year-old the ideal candidate.
The Swiss defender has played for Wolfsburg for nearly two years after joining from FC Zurich in January 2012 and has since played 58 times for the German club in all competitions.
Rodriguez is a full-back that likes to break forward – just like Cole – and is particularly adept at crossing and dribbling, providing three assists already this term.
The defender has earned 17 caps for the Swiss national team to date and is almost certain to be their first choice left-back at the World Cup in Brazil next summer.
Rodriguez brings a certain amount of versatility as the starlet can also operate at right-back and has even been known to push forward into midfield.
Although Cole has been one of the best defenders of the past decade in world football, the England international has started to show signs of age in recent times and Mourinho’s back-ups are unconvincing at the highest level.
Barcelona are trying to poach this Blues star.
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