One player Chelsea were linked with at the end of last year could leave his club in the summer.

Chelsea have had issues in the full-back positions this season, with Ben Chilwell and Reece James picking up bad injuries.

While Chilwell has now returned to action, James is still on the sidelines after undergoing hamstring surgery.

With the 24-year-old having had so many injury problems over the last few seasons, a report from Defensa Central in December claimed that Chelsea were considering activating Jeremie Frimpong’s €40m (£34m) release clause to sign him as a replacement.

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Jeremie Frimpong open to Premier League move after Chelsea links

With the form that Malo Gusto has been in, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea are still considering Frimpong if they were to begin with.

However, if they are, the 23-year-old looks like more than an attainable option.

According to GiveMeSport, there is a good chance of Frimpong leaving Leverkusen in the summer and he is open to playing in the Premier League if he does decide for a change of scenery.

Mauricio Pochettino trying to keep Frimpong, Gusto and James all happy would be interesting to see.

How do Jeremie Frimpong and Reece James compare?

They are both similar. Two full-backs who are probably best playing a bit further forward as wing-backs. That is where Frimpong has been starting this season and he has been sensational.

The Netherlands international has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances.

James has not managed that kind of output because of his injury woes, but over the last year, he has ranked in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons and the 92nd for progressive carries among full-backs (FBref).

Frimpong has ranked in the 98th for both, so again, they are quite similar full-backs.

Gusto has proven that he is good going forward as well, recording eight assists this term, so there may not be a need for Frimpong. It just depends on James’ fitness.