Chelsea are considering a move for Lazio man Felipe Anderson, as manager Antonio Conte looks to stamp his authority on the Blues team, according to the Daily Mail.
Chelsea boss Conte appears to be on the look out for players to fit a 3-5-2 system at Stamford Bridge – a formation he used to great effect in charge of the Italian national team between 2014 and 2016.
Consequently, the versatile Lazio man Anderson is reportedly on his radar, with his ability to play wing-back likely to be of particularly great interest to the Chelsea boss.
As of yet, Conte has been unable to ditch the back four because of injuries and player suitability, but bringing in 23-year-old Anderson would go some way to helping him revert to a back three.
Brazilian international Anderson has been at Lazio since 2013, and has played over 100 times for the Italian side, netting 21 goals in the process. The 23-year-old can also play as a winger or attacking midfielder, and would give Conte many options in many different areas of the pitch should a deal be done in January.
The signing of Anderson in January could signal the end for Branislav Ivanovic, who has been way below his best in the early stages of the season. Compound his bad form with his contract expiring at the end of the season, and Ivanovic’s eight-year stay at Stamford Bridge could be heading to a conclusion.
Any January deal is likely to command a hefty fee for the youngster, given that he is tied down to a long-term contract at Lazio, but it may turn out to be money well spent if Conte can get a deal completed when the window reopens in January next year.
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