Chelsea eye move for Serie A full-back with Reece James injured

Chelsea travel to the south coast to face Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday in a game that sees the new Blues’ boss return to his former club. 

Graham Potter left The Seagulls last month to take charge of Chelsea following Thomas Tuchel’s sacking, and the Englishman is yet to lose a game for his new side.

Brighton on the other hand are yet to win a game since Roberto De Zerbi replaced Potter at the helm.

Potter will be without a number of players for the match, though, including Reece James, who looks increasingly unlikely to be fit in time for the World Cup in November.

In the England international’s absence, Potter has tinkered with both his formation and personnel, with Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all having been trialled as makeshift right wing-backs.

Now, though, it has emerged that The Blues are plotting a move for Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries.

The Dutchman was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge over the summer, and the new report claims that the Premier League side have retained their interest in the player.

Dumfries remains a target for Chelsea

Dumfries, 26, has played in all 16 of Inter’s games across all competitions so far this term, scoring twice and providing two assists.

The versatile wide player announced himself on the international stage at Euro 2020, and earned himself a move to Inter from former club PSV in the summer of 2021.

He has since made more than 60 appearances for the Italian side and, while he is typically used as a right midfielder, the role is not too dissimilar to the one that James often fulfils.

In James’ absence, club captain Cesar Azpilicueta has also been used on the right of Chelsea’s backline.

James, 22, was rewarded with a new long-term deal earlier this season, having established himself as one of the club’s most important players over the past couple of seasons.

Dumfries cost Inter just £12 million when he joined the club last year, but the player’s potential price tag now is believed to be one thing that could deter Chelsea’s interest.

The Netherlands international has amassed 37 senior caps for his country since making his debut in 2018.