The BBC has reported that Alex has joined Chelsea’s growing defensive injury list and is estimated to be out of action for between 6-8 weeks with a knee injury that requires surgery.

With John Terry injured this leaves Chelsea with only one fully fit recognised centre back and a major selection headache for Carlo Ancelotti as the decisive festive period approaches.

Against Sunderland Paulo Ferreria deputised at centre back however whilst a useful bit part player he is nowhere near the standard required to play at the heart of the Chelsea defence and alternate options are a must if Chelsea are to remain competitive.

This means that Chelsea will be forced to either grin and bear this shortcoming or throw one of the club’s youth players into the limelight.

The candidates to partner Branislav Ivanovic in the centre of defence are:

Jeffrey Bruma

A full Dutch international at the age of 18 a regular starting role in the next six weeks would be the culmination of an amazing 12 months which has included first team and international debuts for the versatile defender.

In addition to this he was the star of the club’s FA Youth Cup victory last season and has displayed talent and maturity in each of his performances in the first team to date.

Able to play at right back and full back he has been tipped to become a first time regular, could now be the time he proves this in Chelsea’s time of need?

Michael Mancienne

On loan to Wolves a club he joined in the summer, the England u21 player may be the solution if Chelsea can find a loophole to retrieve him from his Wolves loan spell. With Premier League experience with both Wolves and Chelsea he would be desperate to prove that the early hype in his career was justified and that his future lies at Stamford Bridge after a nomadic few seasons on loan.

Comfortable on the ball, his defending has been criticised in the past, but with Chelsea lacking options could he finally come of age as a footballer?

With Ferreria and Bruma available immediately, Mancienne may never get a chance I am sure he would jump at, I would really like to see Bruma given the starting berth at this juncture, experience may count for alot but based on his talent in I think the Dutchman deserves his chance.

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