According to a recent report by The Evening Standard, Chelsea are holding an advantage over Manchester City in pursuit of Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell this summer. It is believed that Man City’s interest in the English defender could hinge on the result of their Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing with Uefa which could open the door for Frank Lampard to strike first and seal a move for the Foxes full-back in this off-season (via The Evening Standard).
Chilwell’s Excellent Form In The Premier League This Season
The 23-year-old has experienced another solid campaign at the King Power Stadium as the primary left-back of Brendan Rodgers’ side. He has made 28 appearances for the East Midlands outfit this term, scoring two goals and grabbing four assists across all fronts which showcases his excellent contributions going forward.
The Milton Keynes-born talent deserves credit for averaging 1.6 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 2.0 clearances, 0.6 shots, 1.2 key passes and 0.7 dribbles per game in the Premier League this season (stats via whoscored). His stats shed light on how well he has performed for the Foxes despite struggling with a hip injury earlier in this campaign.
Chilwell has also secured 11 senior caps for the England national team but is still waiting to net his first international goal for the Three Lions. If he can maintain his high standards in the upcoming campaign, then he should have a decent shot of earning a first-team spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad for next year’s UEFA European Championship finals following the competition’s postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What Will The English Full-Back Bring To Stamford Bridge?
Chilwell can use his pace and agility to make some driving runs with the ball down the left flank. He is also a decent crosser of the ball and can create a few inviting goal-scoring chances for his teammates in the final third.
The English left-back is often quick to sense the danger and has transformed himself into a reliable defender inside his own half. He excels at making sliding tackles which enables him to pull off some crucial interceptions for his side.
Is Chilwell The Right Fit For The Blues?
Recruiting a full-back of Chilwell’s calibre will undeniably be a massive coup for Chelsea if they can find a way to bring him to the English capital this summer. He will not only be a significant upgrade over Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri but also offer some much-needed stability to Lampard’s backline. The England international can positively impact the game at both ends of the field, which makes him an ideal fit for the West London giants ahead of the new season.
At 23, Chilwell is about to embark upon the peak years of his playing career, so the Blues will do well to get him on board during the summer transfer period. His pace and creativity will also provide more natural width for Chelsea down the left-wing. All in all, he has what it takes to be a grand success at Stamford Bridge as long as Lampard is willing to put his faith in him in the coming seasons.
