Chelsea are reportedly searching for a new left-back, with neither Emerson Palmieri nor Marcos Alonso in the club's long-term plans.

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An exclusive report by 90 min claims that the Blues are desperately searching for a first-choice left-back with Leicester City's Ben Chilwell top of their list.

The west London club have successfully promoted a host of youth team players into the first-team fold throughout the previous year, including the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham. Meanwhile, 19-year-old defender Reece James is also starting to emerge as a future prospect at Stamford Bridge.

They are, however, on the lookout for someone adept to playing on the left-hand side of defence, with the two players currently tasked with playing that position - Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri - not thought to be in the club's long-term plans moving forward.

Emerson started the campaign as first-choice left-back but has missed Chelsea's last three league games with a hamstring injury (via Transfermarkt).

Alonso, on the other hand, has performed well in the Italian's absence and scored the Blues' match-winner against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, drilling home in the latter stages of the second-half to ensure the club made it three wins on the bounce in the top-flight.

90 min also report that another possible target for Chelsea - should they fail to land Chilwell for whatever reason - could be Basel's South American star Blás Riveros, who has gained attention having racked up 72 appearances for the Swiss outfit.

Ben Chilwell is rapidly emerging as one of the best young left-backs in Europe and certainly in the Premier League, so if Chelsea could land him next summer then it would be viewed as great business.

However, with two more than capable full-backs already at the club in the form of Alonso and Emerson, it does seem a little foolish that the Blues would fork out on another (if they couldn't land Chilwell).

Time will tell, though perhaps focussing on bringing in another centre-back to partner Fikayo Tomori in the heart of defence would be a better option for the club, considering the struggles Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have faced with injury this term.

Chelsea fans, what do you make of this news? Let us know by commenting below!