Chelsea’s chase of Bayer Leverkusen full back gives a huge clue about their squad building strategy | OneFootball

Our writer Simon Phillips had an exclusive report on his Substack this morning about Piero Hincapie, the Bayer Leverkusen full back.

Phillips says that the defender is a player Chelsea are interested in, as they look to continue to improve the squad, especially in the full back position where both Reece James and Ben Chilwell have effectively been phased out. Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella are doing well, but we aways have to be looking to improve.

Hincapie is a good player and a very realistic target. But there’s more to it than that. Phillips also makes the interesting observation that Chelsea are looking at players “in particular who could operate on both sides,” like the Ecuadorian.

Piero Hincapie of Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s long term squad building plan falling into place

That really adds up, given what they’re trying to do tactically at the moment. With both full backs being asked to invert at times and play in midfield, their need to have a stronger foot which corresponds to the side they’re playing on is diminished. In fact, in some ways it’s better to have a left footer on the right, or the other way around, given they will be moving infield when in possession anyway.

Gusto’s ability to play left back has been utilised a fair amount already. It works well – he’s not being asked to bomb down the left and cross from his weaker foot, he’s coming inside to play in midfield.

So when looking for players who are going to start as backups, being able to have them play on both sides is a huge bonus both for squad construction and even for picking a team on the day. Why have a backup left back and a backup right back when you can have both in one player?