Chelsea have reportedly identified Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Nelson Semedo as a potential signing for 2023.
For a number of seasons, the Blues have been well stocked for options in the right-back area, helped by the presence of long-serving Cesar Azpilicueta since 2012.
From 2020 onwards, Chelsea have also been able to call upon Reece James, the academy graduate developing into one of the key members of the first-team squad.
However, at a time when veteran Azpilicueta is now only regarded as a backup option, James has sustained significant injuries to his hamstring and knee over the past year.
Head coach Graham Potter has recently been forced to use Christian Pulisic in an unfamiliar wing-back role, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek deputised there under Thomas Tuchel.
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With that area sometimes emerging as an obvious weakness, Chelsea are likely to target alternatives and further competition for James in the future.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, the Blues hierarchy have included Semedo on a list of potential options in the transfer market ahead of the next two transfer windows.
The 28-year-old is currently in his third campaign with Wolves, where he has made a total of 69 starts and six substitute appearances since a £27.6m transfer from Barcelona.
During that period, the Portugal international has contributed two goals and four assists in all competitions from either right-back or right wing-back.
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Speaking to Givemesport, Phillips said: "Chelsea also like Nelson Semedo from Wolves and are considering him as an option to come in to give competition for Reece James."
As it stands, Semedo's contract is due to expire at the end of the season, although Wolves have the option to extend that deal until 2025.
With Wolves currently fighting to move outside of the Premier League relegation zone, they are unlikely to contemplate a sale at the midway point of the campaign.
Nevertheless, much may depend on any offer which is made by Chelsea, with a sale and reducing the wage bill, combined with finding a replacement for a lower fee also an option for the West Midlands outfit.
Darren Plant
