Who is Chelsea and Arsenal target Ricardo Rodriguez?
Tuesday 3 January 2017 14:38, UK
The January transfer window is in full flow with reports linking Premier League clubs with a host of players from around Europe.
According to reports in the British press, Chelsea, as well as Arsenal, have been keeping a close eye on Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez ahead of a potential £21m move to England.
But who is Rodriguez? We profile the Switzerland international...
FACTFILE
Age: 24
Position: Left-back
Club: Wolfsburg
Nationality: Swiss
International caps: 43
International goals: 1
Early career
Born in Zurich to a Spanish father and Chilean mother, Rodriguez started his professional career at FC Zurich in 2009 having spent eight years as part of the club's youth set-up.
He was promoted to the senior squad at the age of 16 and was an unused substitute for Zurich's 3-2 defeat to NK Maribor in the Champions League.
Rodriguez eventually made his debut in 2010, coming on as a substitute in his side's 2-0 win over Bellinzona in the Swiss Super League.
He went on to make 35 appearances for the club, scoring two goals before being sold to Wolfsburg in Januray 2012 for an undisclosed fee.
Despite being sold mid-way through the season, Rodriguez, who featured in the Europa League with the Swiss side, had obviously made an impression on the Zurich fans and was was voted as the Fans' Player of the Season the following summer.
Wolfsburg career
Rodriguez moved to the Bundesliga as a 19-year-old and quickly asserted himself as a regular in the first team under Felix Magath.
However, a poor run of results saw Magath lose his job and Rodriguez lost his place in the team under the interim manager Lorenz-Gunther Kostner.
He was restored to the starting line-up though once Dieter Hecking was appointed and he went on to make 34 appearances for Wolfsburg during the 2013/14 season, scoring five goals.
The following season, during which he signed a new deal until 2019, he scored 10 goals as Wolfsburg went on to win their first cup, beating Borussia Dortmund 3-1 to win the a DFB-Pokal.
He helped Wolfsburg to further success early in the 2015/16 campaign as they beat Bayern Munich on penalties to win the DFL-Supercup and he was also a key figure as Hecking's side reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League where they were eventually knocked out by Real Madrid.
So far, Rodriguez has made 140 appearances for Wolfsburg, scoring an impressive 15 goals from left-back.
Playing Style
Rodriguez is the archetypal modern day full-back.
He loves to get forward and have an influence on the game in attack, taking up positions high up the field in a bid to occupy his opposite man.
The Switzerland international also has a brilliant left foot and is an excellent crosser of the ball. He has also developed an eye for goal and he is well known for his ability at set-piece situations, including penalties.
It's not just his attacking prowess that will appeal to potential suitors though because he's also an accomplished defender.
At almost 6ft he is built to handle the physical aspects of the game. He's good in the air and strong in the tackle, both key aspects to the game in the Premier League.
International career
Rodriguez was part of the Switzerland U17 team that won the 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup. He featured in that team alongside the likes of Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Haris Seferovic.
He made his debut on October 7, 2011 in a Euro 2012 qualifying defeat to Wales, coming on as second-half substitute for Xherdan Shaqiri before making his full debut four days later in a 2-0 win over Montenegro.
The 24-year-old was selected in Switzerland's squad for the 2012 Olympics and he featured in all three games as the Swiss were eliminated in the group stages.
However, the tournament proved to be a spring board for Rodriguez, who was a regular in qualifying for the Swiss as they booked their place at the 2014 World Cup. Rodriguez was picked as part of Switzerland's squad for the tournament in Brazil and he played all four matches as they exited at the last-16 stage to Argentina.
Rodriguez has more major tournament experience with Switzerland, playing every minute for his country at last summer's Euro 2016. Again, they reached the last 16 stage, losing to Poland on penalties.
How would he fit in at Chelsea?
With Cesar Azpilicueta moving to a more central position this season, summer signing Marcos Alonso is Antonio Conte's only real option in the left wing-back role.
The Blues may be sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, five points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand but Conte is still keen to bolster his squad ahead of the title run-in.
The attack-minded Rodriguez, who has experience of playing in the left-wing-back role for both Wolfsburg and Switzerland, could fit the bill perfectly.
Who else is interested?
Arsenal are also thought to be in the market for cover at left-back with Kieran Gibbs' future in doubt at the club.
Rodriguez has reportedly impressed scouts at both Chelsea and Arsenal, but the Blues are said to be the favourites for his signature because of the Gunners' need to offload Gibbs.
