According to a recent report by the Guardian, Premier League giants Chelsea are said to be stepping up their interest in Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell this summer, with Frank Lampard keen on strengthening the position. The interest arrives after the Blues have seemingly agreed on a deal to sign German attacker Timo Werner from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig in the summer. Lampard is said to be a massive admirer of the Leicester man’s talents and wants him as the first-choice left-back at Chelsea next season.
With the report suggesting that Chelsea are interested in Ben Chilwell, it has further been clarified that the Blues have already begun talks with Leicester City about a potential move in the coming weeks. Although the Blues’ interest is strong, it is further claimed that the Foxes will demand in the region of £60 million for the Englishman’s services, and considering that the Werner deal was agreed at £53m, this does seem a tad exorbitant. The London club are currently said to be willing to part with £45m for the speedster, who is contracted to the Midlands side until 2024.
What Is Chelsea’s Current Left-Back Situation?
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side went into the season with very few expectations weighing them down, as the transfer ban last summer depleted them of the opportunity to strengthen in some key areas of the pitch. One of the positions of concern for the gaffer was undoubtedly at left-back, where the two options – Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso, had consistently shown off their weaknesses. While the former’s jack-of-all-trades skill-set was never going to be good enough, the Spaniard’s fragility meant that playing him in the bigger games was always going to be a risk.
What Makes Ben Chilwell An Attractive Option For Chelsea?
The 23-year-old has been one of the Foxes’ shining stars this season at left-back, with his seemingly perfect balance of attacking prowess and defensive composure. Capable of bombarding forward and delivering a pin-point cross just as well as he can drop back and win the ball, Chilwell would offer Lampard the perfect mix between all the best attributes of Emerson and Alonso all rolled up into one player. The fact that he’s experienced in the English game will come as a bonus as well.
Although Lampard is said to see an alternate option in Nicolas Tagliafico, it’s evident that the Leicester man would be the Stamford Bridge hero’s first-choice option. Moreover, Juventus and Inter Milan are both interested in taking Emerson off Chelsea’s hands, meaning that it will be essential for the Blues to replace him.
Chilwell had played in 23 league outings before the current league campaign was brought to a halt – a period during which he picked up two goals and three assists. Last season, the Englishman featured in a whopping 36 games for the Midlands club. (Transfermarkt)
Chelsea Are Interested In Ben Chilwell: Should Lampard Get This Deal Over The Line?
The acquisitions of two high-profile attackers in Hakim Ziyech and now potentially Timo Werner has been received exceptionally well by the Chelsea faithful, but going to all this effort without strengthening at the back could be a recipe for disaster. Chilwell has proven over the last couple of seasons that he’s got what it takes to perform at the highest level, and his display in the thrashing of Southampton this season was an indicator of just that. Lampard is clearly willing to dish out the cash to bolster his squad, and spending some more on a player of Chilwell’s quality would certainly make sense from a Stamford Bridge point of view.
