Chelsea step up interest to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong in the summer
According to journalist Simon Phillips, speaking to GiveMeSport (h/t Football.London), Chelsea have stepped up their interest to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong. They have scouted him several times in the last few years.
Frimpong is a former Celtic player, who was part of the Manchester City Academy between 2016 and 2019. The 21-year-old is a right-back by trade but can also operate as a right wing-back or as a left-back.
A few days ago, Football.London reported that Chelsea have been on the lookout for a right-back in the coming transfer windows as they are concerned about the volume of injuries Reece James has picked up in the last year or so. They are also in the race to sign Dutch international Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan.
Here’s what Phillips said regarding the club’s interest in Frimpong (h/t Football.London):
“I think it’s a position that Chelsea will address in the summer rather than January, but they are starting to look at targets. Jeremie Frimpong is on there.
“Chelsea have scouted him a few times in recent seasons and they’ve stepped that up again now under the new ownership.”
Having joined Leverkusen in January 2021, Frimpong has a contract with the German club until the summer of 2025 (Transfermarkt). He has chiefly played either as a right-back or right wing-back for them.
The 21-year-old has been in good form in the last 18-24 months. Since arriving in Germany, he has scored seven goals and assisted 12 in 68 appearances in all competitions.
The Netherlands international is a fullback who is not afraid of making forward runs and impacting the game in the opposition half. He possesses good recovery speed and a defensive mindset, which is important for a fullback despite the exploits at the other end.
When fit and available, Reece James is not only one of the best fullbacks in England, but also in the world. His fitness concerns mean Chelsea would need to sign a player of a similar profile to back him up and also help the manager in managing the playing time of the player.
Frimpong has the qualities and profile of a player who can be an ideal foil for James in that right-back/right-wing-back position. We would love to see this move happen.
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He is currently with the Netherlands national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he is playing second fiddle to Denzel Dumfries. Him not getting playing time for Holland would, selfishly, be good for us so it doesn’t attract more suitors or raise his valuation.