An update has emerged on Chelsea and their efforts to improve their squad before the end of the January transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to the Evening Standard, the Blues are now tracking Sporting CP right-back Pedro Porro as they weigh up potential additions in that area of the pitch.

The report claims that fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the gem and have already seen several offers turned down for the defender, including a bid that included central defender Davinson Sanchez in part exchange.

Porro has a release clause in his Sporting contract, which stands at €45m (£40m), and it remains to be seen whether or not Chelsea are willing to match it in order to win the race for his signature.

Reece James alternative

Chelsea manager Graham Potter could land a dream alternative to first-choice right-back Reece James by beating Tottenham to the signing of Porro this month.

The current Blues defender has only started seven Premier League matches this season but caught the eye with his superb attacking play from full-back last term with five goals and nine assists, whilst creating 1.8 chances per outing.

Whereas, Cesar Azpilicueta and Trevor Chalobah, who have deputised at wing-back between them in James' absence, have both failed to register a single goal or assist in 21 Premier League starts between them in 2022/23.

This suggests that Chelsea do not have a right wing-back who can offer a similar level of attacking quality when the first-choice in that position is unavailable, which lowers the team's potential in the final third when they are without the England international.

Porro, who was once hailed as "impressive" by journalist Josh Bunting, has been in fine form in Portugal with Sporting and his statistics indicate that the dynamo could be a dream alternative to James.

In the Liga Portugal this season, the 23-year-old has scored two goals and provided six assists, whilst creating 2.4 chances per match, in 12 starts.

Last term, the Spaniard created a whopping 11 'big chances' for his teammates and made 2.0 key passes per game across 23 appearances in the Portuguese top-flight.

These statistics show that the defender is adept at bursting forward to consistently create good opportunities for his side, which makes him similar to James as the Chelsea man has proven himself to be an attacking threat for the Blues in the Premier League.

Therefore, Porro could be a dream alternative option in that position if he is able to adapt to playing in English football, which is why he could be an excellent signing for Potter to make.