Chelsea have turned to former Bolton left back Marcos Alonso as Antonio Conte scrambles to recruit defenders before the transfer window closes.
The Italian manager has been knocked back in approaches for a series of targets and now admits it will be difficult to add the two defenders he wants to add to his threadbare backline options.
The search for reinforcements has turned to Fiorentina's Alonso, 25, who has Premier League experience from spells at Bolton and Sunderland.
The versatile left back would give Conte an option to move Branislav Ivanovic into a central role if required, with Cesar Azpilicueta switching to his natural right back.