What's going to happen at left-back next season?

I’ve been a little surprised at the lack of discussion over who will be playing left-back for Chelsea next season. Of course, as fans we can only speculate as to the club’s intentions, but I think it is quite clear that it is unlikely that Cole will be given the new contract he wants.

To start on a controversial note, I have stopped going along with the idea that Cole is the best left-back in the world for quite some time. Out of all the great players we have had and still own now, he has had some very bad performances overlooked. I’ve always thought he has been capable of raising his game in the big matches, but for at least two years he has often been made to look silly by the likes of Routledge and Puncheon. I even feel like there is a lack of effort with him sometimes; effort to close down and effort to chase an attacker. He is still a reasonably solid option in my eyes, but if he does go at the end of the season, I don’t think I will shed a tear.

It’s all subjective really, and that’s just how I feel about him these days. However you feel though, it seems more or less certain that he will be leaving at the end of the season, leaving us with Bertrand as our only left-back.

As for Bertrand, I’m undecided as to whether I am happy with him as our starter. Going on performances towards the end of last season I would be, but since then he hasn’t particularly impressed me. To be fair, he has been played on the wing more than he has at left-back, and so for me to really decide I would like to see him play a little more in his preferred position.

Whether or not he is capable of being a starter, we are still going to need a new player for that position. Whenever there is chat about potential signings, what’s happening at left-back rarely, if ever, comes up. For me it is the primary position we should be addressing. From the end of May we will have only Bertrand, and so we need to sign someone as cover for him, or, depending on how good you think he is, to start ahead of him, in which case Bertrand could cover.

As far as I know we’re not linked with anyone at the moment, and so there’s pretty much endless speculation to be had over who we could possibly sign. Let’s not forget Patrick Van Aanholt either, as his return from Vitesse is a possibility, although I don’t think Chelsea is where his future lies.

If Chelsea gave me a ring and asked for my opinion, I would say Luke Shaw. Sign him up! 17 years old, impressing in the Premier League, English and would count towards our home-grown players (which we are quickly running out of). We all saw him against Southampton, solid at the back, dangerous on the counter and it’s been like that all season. This guy is impressive. Oh, and he’s a Chelsea fan.

The main problem here is that he has just signed a new long term contract. You cold also question whether Bertrand and Shaw have enough experience between them to be our only options. We could though make the classic move of buying him and loaning straight back out again to Southampton, in which case another target would have to be identified. Ultimately I’m just stating the facts right now, but I’m interested to think what other fans would like to see happen after Cole leaves.

If you take anything out of this, I hope it is that addressing our left-back situation is a priority over any other position, including striker, and that I would love to see Luke Shaw at Chelsea.

He’s young, top class, and a Chelsea fan with Premier league experience. Let’s sign him and then loan him to Scunthorpe.