According to the Mirror, Ben Chilwell is set to inform Leicester City of his decision to move to Chelsea. The English international heads the list of prospects Chelsea are considering to shore up their left-back position.
With Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri both out of favor and apparently on their way out, it is imperative that we do bring in Chilwell.
Leicester endured a disappointing end to the season as they lost on the last day to finish outside the top four. Chilwell missed the final five Premier League games of the season, of which the Foxes lost three. Whether he could have made a difference is something we will never know.
What isn’t in question though is his ability on and off the ball. An all-round player, the 23-year-old can contribute to both the defence and the attack.
According to the report, Chilwell’s decision to leave is not just based on the Foxes missing out on Champions League football. It is rather motivated by his personal ambition and where he sees himself in the next 5 to 6 years.
Playing regularly at the top level at Chelsea should also help him in nailing down a starting spot for England at next summer’s European Championships.
Chilwell’s decision to switch his ‘Blue’ allegiance will come as a blow to Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers. He had earlier claimed he was relaxed about the player’s future. It would now appear that things have changed.
Leicester sold Harry Maguire for a world-record fee last summer. With Chilwell’s contract running until 2024, they hold a strong hand in negotiations for the player.
The move will not be cheap, with Chelsea having to pay up to get their man. Having already spent big money on Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, it remains to be seen what the Blues do.
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Chelsea have also identified other cheaper alternatives to Chilwell. These include FC Porto’s Alex Telles, Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico, and Atalanta’s Robin Gosens.