Chelsea plotting move to sign 22-year-old Bundesliga right-back in January amid injury concerns surrounding Reece James: Reports

Chelsea are interested in snapping up SC Freiburg right-back Kiliann Sildillia in the upcoming winter transfer window due to captain Reece James’ injury struggles, as per French outlet Jeunes Footeux.

The Blues, who spent close to £200 million earlier this summer, have been without James since past month. They have relied on the likes of Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana as right full-back options of late.

James, who will turn 25 later this December, has proved to be a big injury concern for the Blues since 2022. He has made 35 overall appearances, starting 28, since the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

Now, according to the aforementioned website, Chelsea are hoping to sign Sildillia in the January transfer window. However, they could face competition from Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille in the transfer race.

Sildillia, whose current contract will run out in June 2026, has cemented himself as one of the most promising right-back in the Bundesliga over the last two years. The 22-year-old has registered one goal and three assists in 86 appearances across all competitions for Freiburg.

Meanwhile, James is currently nursing a hamstring problem after recovering from a knee surgery earlier this summer. He has missed a staggering 72 games across all competitions for his club since 2022.

Ian Wright heaps praise on Chelsea star

After Nicolas Jackson’s brace in Chelsea’s 3-0 league victory at West Ham United, Arsenal legend Ian Wright heaped praise on the Senegalese. He said on The Kelly & Wrighty Show (h/t Caught Offside):

“Good finish from him the other day. I thought West Ham were very poor, by the way, but good finish from him. If he gets the right coaching around him, he could become prolific.”

Wright, who represented the Gunners 281 times as a player, added:

“If he gets that in his game where, if I am going to, if I am here, I have got to make sure I hit it over there because the goalie is doing, he has got to get into that mindset of striking, so as then he will become so clinical, and with his pace and with his link-up plays, set up a goal for him as well.”

So far this campaign, the 23-year-old forward has found the back of the opposition net four times and laid out two assists in six total matches.

Jackson, who left Villarreal for £32 million last summer, registered 17 goals and six assists in 44 total appearances for Chelsea last season.