Chelsea shortlist two cheaper alternatives to £75m Chilwell

Chelsea have drawn up a shortlist of two alternatives if they miss out on signing Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell, according to reports.

Left-back is an area Frank Lampard is strongly expected to address this summer with both Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri expected to be free to leave should a suitable offer emerge.

Leicester defender Chilwell has been the name most frequently touted – but with a gargantuan £75m price tag cited by The Foxes, Lampard may be forced to look elsewhere.

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The Guardian (via The Metro) states that both Lampard and club chiefs have identified a full-back pair more known for their attacking prowess as potential alternatives.

FC Porto left-back Alex Telles is one such player, with the Brazil international notching an incredible nine league goals in the current campaign.

A further five assists have been provided in the Portuguese top flight. However, with just one year remaining on his current deal, Telles is expected to be available for a fee far less than £75m.

Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico is the second player cited. The Argentine has plundered five goals and seven assists across all competitions this season. And like Telles, would be available for far less than what it would take to secure Chilwell’s signature.

Any potential left-back arrival would only follow a prior exit, and The Metro intimate that Emerson appears most likely to leave at this stage.

Ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has registered interest, with an £18m fee cited. Emerson is described as being ‘open’ to a return to Serie A, with his international ambitions noted.

The move seen by the player as necessary if he is to establish himself as Italy’s first choice left-back ahead of next year’s European Championships.