Chelsea could sign Real Madrid defender Alvaro Carreras after the Marc Cucurella deal

Chelsea are dealing with life behind Marc Cucurella following the confirmation of his £52 million move to Real Madrid, with speculation over who could replace one of the club’s most influential players in recent seasons.

The Spaniard leaves Stamford Bridge after establishing himself as a key figure on the left side of Chelsea’s defence.

His strength, consistency and attacking threat have made him one of the first names in the club’s squad, and replacing him will be a no-brainer.

As a result, Chelsea have been linked with a number of left-backs as they begin to plan for the future.

One player who is often mentioned in transfer talks is Newcastle defender Lewis Hall.

The former Chelsea graduate has improved dramatically since moving from west London and is now regarded as one of the brightest young defenders in England.

His familiarity with the club and ability to work in multiple roles would make him an obvious candidate if Chelsea decide to pursue a reunion.

Other options have been explored as the club’s recruitment team assesses the market.

As Xabi Alonso prepares for his first season in charge, Chelsea are determined to ensure that every position is at their best.

The left wing role has therefore become one of the key areas of focus following Cucurella’s departure.

Now a new name has emerged as a possibility.

Chelsea could sign Real Madrid defender Alvaro Carreras

According to Chelsea insider Simon Phillips, the Blues are monitoring Real Madrid defender Alvaro Carreras.

His Substack report suggests that Chelsea’s interest is genuine and that inquiries have already been made about the Spanish defender.

Carreras is a player that many fans will miss during his time in England.

The 23-year-old spent half of his formative years at Man United, although he never featured competitively for the club.

He eventually moved abroad to continue his progress and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young left-backs in Europe.

A successful spell with Benfica helped raise his profile even further.

His performances in Portugal drew widespread praise and eventually convinced Real to bring him back to Spain.

Although he arrived at the Bernabeu before last season, speculation about his future has begun.

This is where Chelsea comes into the picture.

According to Phillips, ongoing talks between Chelsea and Los Blancos on a number of different issues, including Enzo Fernandez, have kept channels of communication between the two clubs.

Because of this, Carreras has emerged as a player Chelsea are keeping a close eye on.

The Spaniard would certainly fit the profile of a signing Chelsea have been targeting in recent years. He is young, technically gifted and still has a lot of room for improvement.

Carreras is known for his ability to drive forward from the defense, deliver quality crosses and take part.

Those traits would make him an attractive option in Alonso’s system.

There is an obvious Spanish connection too, and the left-back is a player who ‘surprised’ Alonso with his ability during their time together at the Bernabeu.

That familiarity could prove vital if Chelsea decide to pursue their interest.

Replacing Cucurella was always going to be one of the biggest challenges facing Chelsea this summer.

Carreras may not have been the first name fans expected to see associated with the role, but if recent reports are accurate, he is quickly becoming one of the most interesting players to watch.