THE Chelsea are planning to move towards signing Daniel Banjaqui in the winter market, in January, after another injury suffered by captain Reece James, according to the English portal TEAMtalk.
The London Blues don’t want to waste any more time and find a new right-back who offers guarantees for the future, while at the same time being willing to invest many millions.
In this sense, Banjaqui’s profile fits with Xabi Alonso’s ideas, but Chelsea knows they are not alone in the race for the young Benfica player.
The same portal recalls that in England there are at least two interested parties (Arsenal and Liverpool) and that the red management is determined to keep the player at Luz, taking into account his enormous potential.
Benfica is therefore not available to negotiate, but the release clause, worth 45 million euros, could lead Chelsea to act quickly: activating it, which would leave Rui Costa’s structure ‘hands and feet tied’.
Reece James again in the ‘dockyard’
The new injury to James, who is expected to be out for three months due to a knee problem, for which he will undergo surgery, is the cause of this rush to try to find a viable alternative in the next transfer window.
The English international would be the undisputed starter for the right side of the team led by Xabi Alonso, but, at 26 years old, he is adding injury after injury and the numbers don’t lie: 834 days he has been out, due to physical problems, since making his debut for Chelsea’s first team in September 2019.
Xabi Alonso now has Frenchman Malo Gusto and Italian Marco Palestra as alternatives. However, the first does not seem to be particularly to the Spanish coach’s liking and could even leave soon, and is even in Liverpool’s sights. The second was signed last summer, but was only allowed 18 minutes of play against Bournemouth.
Therefore, Banjaqui is seen by Chelsea as a long-term bet, but with conditions to impose himself, immediately, at Stamford Bridge.
Bah doesn’t make it easy in Luz
For now, the young under-21 international is trying to convince Marco Silva to give him minutes at Benfica, something that has happened sporadically so far.
Alexander Bah’s good form has complicated life for Banjaqui, who has, however, had several opportunities to prove himself, highlighting his good performance during the visit to AC Milan, at the start of the Europa League, at a time when the Danish full-back was having a problem with his right shoulder.
Launched by Mourinho
Banjaqui established himself in Benfica’s main team this season, after making his debut last year, under the hand of then coach José Mourinho.
The 18-year-old right-back was part of the under-17 national team that became world champion and shortly afterwards was entitled to make the jump to Benfica’s A team.
His debut took place in the round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup, against Farense, making his first start in the 19th round of the I League, against Estrela da Amadora, in a game in which he even assisted AnÃsio Cabral in the goal that fixed the final result in Luz.
