Chelsea are in need of a new right-back to rival Reece James for competition, and Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Porro is one ace to have been distinguished…

What’s the word?

According to 90min, Blues boss Graham Potter is enamoured with the Spanish full-back’s ability, and could be poised to make a swoop in 2023, with Porro holding a €45m (£40m) release clause.

Porro joined the Portuguese outfit in 2021 on an initial loan deal from Premier League champions Manchester City, since making the move permanent in a £7m deal and rising to prominence as one of the globe’s most exciting prospects. 

However, another report from the same publication puts London rivals Tottenham Hotspur firmly in the mix, with the outfit reportedly having already made contact with the Lions for his signature.

More recently, esteemed transfer guru Fabrizio Romano detailed his thoughts on the situation to GIVEMESPORT, stating that Spurs indeed hold the lead in the pursuit of the ace. 

Romano said:

“For Pedro Porro, Tottenham are the club leading the race. For Chelsea, we have many links, but at the moment I’m told that the club who are actively working to sign Pedro Porro is Tottenham.”

“Special” signing

Chelsea’s James is unequivocally one of the best full-backs in the Premier League, if not the world, but there is a discernible lack of depth down the right flank, with stalwart Cesar Azpilicueta now 33, and James indeed plagued by injury this year. 

By clinching Porro, Chelsea could kill two birds with one stone by landing an exciting 23-year-old with bundles of potential, and concurrently landing a hammer blow to rivals Tottenham - in their own desperate pursuit to fortify the right-back position.

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An expeditious defender, Porro will never shirk away from bolstering offensive moves and often look to provide auxiliary support and direct firepower when the opportunity arises. 

This season alone, the £29k-per-week star has recorded two goals and ten assists from 22 appearances, a vital component to the success of Ruben Amorin’s team.

In total, the one-cap Spaniard has snatched 11 goals and 19 assists from just 94 outings, integral for his side and a regular presence when Sporting monumentally won the Liga Portugal in 20/21, also winning the League Cup on two occasions.

And as per Whoscored, his career average 1.7 tackles and 1.1 interceptions are indications that he possesses the robust defensive acumen to get stuck in and rebuff advances on the Blues' goal when required.

Described as a "special talent" by journalist Zach Lowry, Porro is a phenomenon that cannot be allowed to fall into enemy territory, and Chelsea boss Potter would only enhance his prospects of victory with his inclusion.