Following the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is still looking for more, and one of these names is Ben Chilwell. The Leicester City left-back has long been linked with his boyhood club, and he is now set to complete the transfer after a breakthrough in talks, according to Independent.
Chelsea Closing in on Ben Chilwell
Another Englishman for Lampard’s Youth Revolution
With the return of homegrown Blues legend Lampard as manager last season, as well as the emergence of academy graduates in the first team such as Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount, it makes sense that another young Englishman is being touted for a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chilwell is the future at left-back for the Three Lions, so naturally, Lampard wants him at Chelsea. While there have been many other options linked with a move, the 23-year-old has always been the boss’s first choice.
After many seasons of the club not bringing in the manager’s top targets at Chelsea, with Antonio Conte a prime example, it’s promising to see club owner Roman Abramovich backing his manager and doing whatever it takes to get the deal done.
Some Chelsea fans believe Chilwell is overrated and would prefer a cheaper alternative, like Sergio Reguilon, but Lampard sees something in him and can work with him to further improve his game.
If the transfer is completed, he will join the young, exciting, primarily English squad Lampard is building to compete for titles next season.
Fee Still Needs to be Resolved
Much like they did with Harry Maguire last year, Leicester City are milking another top club for as much as they can get. Originally they were demanding £80 million for him.
However, Chelsea are convinced that they can bring the fee down to around £50 million which, although still a hefty fee, could be justified. With a price tag like that, though, will come expectations.
Chilwell will be expected to fit in seamlessly at Stamford Bridge, and finally lock down that left-back position which has been lacking ever since the departure of Ashley Cole. They are huge boots to fill, but he will back himself to fill them.
And of course, Cole himself will be there to help him out, as he has joined forces with his old team as an academy coach.
If Chilwell can hit the ground running and turn his position from liability to strength, his fee will have been justified. More importantly, it gives Lampard another youngster to mould into his team in a critical position.
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