Can Ricardo Rodriguez replace Ashley Cole at Chelsea?

Ricardo Rodriguez

Reports have once again surfaced linking Wolfsburg’s highly-rated left-back Ricardo Rodriguez to a move to one of Europe’s big hitters.

According to the Mirror, this time it’s Chelsea fans who should be licking their lips at the prospect of his arrival, while Ashley Cole might have reason to quiver in his boots.

The England international has long been a stalwart for the Blues, winning every trophy on offer during a truly glittering Stamford Bridge career. But as his current deal runs into it’s final six months, we could be witnessing the beginning of the end as far as Cole’s Chelsea career is concerned.

Wolfsburg’s 21-year-old Rodriguez, tipped as the Englishman’s eventual replacement, is one of the numerous young Swiss upstarts who have exploded onto the European football scene, both individually across the continent’s leagues, and together, as the formidable unit which raised many an eyebrow due to the emphatic manner by which they negotiated their qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup.

Ever since his move from FC Zurich in January 2012 he has drawn admiring glances from Europe’s big boys, and with a look at his statistics, it’s easy to understand why.

The 17-time capped Switzerland international boasts a frankly incredible record of seven defensive actions per game. This includes 24 interceptions and eight blocked shots, both of which put him among the Bundesliga’s top performers in those parameters. Needless to say, Cole labours well behind the guy mooted to take his peg in the Stamford Bridge changing room.

It’s his overall contribution total, though, which really makes him stand out as the archetypal modern full-back. On average Rodriguez creates 1.75 chances per game from his position. His 21 chances in 12 Bundesliga games puts him second amongst his Wolfsburg team-mates. Only the club’s playmaking expert, Diego, can better that.

Rodriguez Chances Created

Cole Chances Created

Everton’s Leighton Baines, who ironically looks set to displace Cole on the international front, is the only top-level left-back who is as productive creatively from left-back, but the England man comes with plenty more miles on the clock and with it an inflated asking price.

But back to Rodriguez; his impressive stats don’t stop there. The 21-year-old has won a 110 duels in total this season, a figure which is unmatched by any of his defensive contemporaries in the Bundesliga.

There are also clear indications that the Swiss sensation is getting better with experience. His tackle win percentage, standing at 83% so far this term, is particularly impressive; he has already, in 12 games, won almost as many tackles as he did in the whole of last season.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that Cole’s star is on the wane. While it is probably too hasty, not to mention disrespectful, to label the Englishman as a passenger, the statistics are too damning to ignore.

Pundits, fans and even Jose Mourinho himself may still consider Cole to be a world-class performer, but the sooner he is eased out and Rodriguez is brought in, the better.