Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is said to be the subject of genuine transfer interest from Manchester City. Having been keen on the left-back before he joined the Blues for £50million in 2020, Pep Guardiola has renewed his and the club’s interest following the departure of Joao Cancelo in January, as the Athletic reports.
At his best, Chilwell is one of Chelsea’s most important players. Injuries have limited the 26-year-old’s playing time this campaign, but he has started to accumulate a string of appearances, even scoring the opening goal against former club Leicester City on Saturday.
The interest is therefore inevitable, but Graham Potter and Todd Boehly will likely be unwilling to sell this summer. This is despite the club seemingly needing a mass clearout ahead of next season, primarily to reduce the bloated nature of the squad.
READ MORE: Paul Merson impressed by big money Chelsea signing Graham Potter may not have wanted
Potter currently has more than 30 players in his senior ranks, and is set to welcome six more players this summer when loanees return to Stamford Bridge. His squad includes two left-backs signed for a combined £110million in the form of Chilwell and Marc Cucurella.
However, Cucurella appears to have found his calling on the left-hand side of a back-three, meaning Chilwell is Chelsea’s best and only option at left wing-back. While money needs to be raised from incomings to help meet financial fair play rules, Blues fans will be desperate to ensure Chilwell isn’t one of the likely outgoings.
The first set of players at risk of departing will be those entering the final year of their respective deals, including Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Christian Pulisic, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. However, Chilwell is in the next bracket of having two years remaining, which could give Boehly and co. a decision to make if City come in with a substantial bid.
With Chelsea lying 11 points adrift of a Champions League place, despite recent wins against Leeds and Leicester, the chances of qualifying for next year’s competition looks slim. Meanwhile, City’s place is nailed on, and a player of Chilwell’s quality could seek a place among Europe’s elite.
If they do decide to part ways with the left-back, they may look to academy player Lewis Hall, who has made seven appearances for the senior side this season. Alternatively, highly-rated youngster Ian Maatsen is impressing on loan at Championship leaders Burnley, which may soften the blow of Chilwell’s potential exit.
That being said, despite a less-than-impressive injury record, Chelsea’s key asset at present is the Chilwell and Reece James partnership at wing-back, and with both at the peaks of their power, Potter will hope to keep hold of that particular advantage. Chilwell appears happy in west London, as he told Chelsea’s Fifth Stand app after the victory at the King Power Stadium.
“I love the way the fans got behind us. They have done all season, it’s been a difficult season but they’ve stuck with us and to hear them singing that song (won the European Cup) the whole game was nice for me, (it) gave me a little boost," he said.
READ NEXT:
Graham Potter set crucial Chelsea challenge to secure Todd Boehly Champions League ambition
Kai Havertz reveals how Chelsea form affected his personal life before Blues won three in a row
Joao Felix, Reece James, Thiago Silva: Chelsea injury news and return dates after Leicester win
Chelsea's next six Premier League fixtures compared to Liverpool, Man Utd and Tottenham
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
