Chelsea has confirmed the signing of England and Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell for a reported fee in excess of £50 million, the left-back had always been Chelsea coach Frank Lampard’s first choice for the position as he sees him as a perfect suit for his style of play.
The 23-year-old England international signed a five-year contract with the London club and will earn a reported £190,000/per week. Speculations over his fitness had initially put doubts on the deal going through. He was rumoured to have visited a specialist regarding his heel injury. Still, it seems that was not going to stop the Blues from getting their number target.
A fan turn player
Chilwell joined Leicester City when he was 11-year-old as a boy playing for the U18 with just three appearances until 2014 when he was promoted to the U23 team playing 29 times and scoring two goals with 4 assists.
He was signed on a youth loan to Championship club Huddersfield until January 2016 where he made just 8 appearances for the club and return to Leicester in January 2016, he was retained in the club as a squad member and made his debut against Everton in a 2-0 home defeat, including two appearances in Champions League playing and playing over 19 times under.
He became more established in the 2017/2018 season, making 24 appearances in the Premier League and played 8 matches in cup games. He played 123 times for Leicester senior team scoring 4 goals and assisting 12 for his team and helping the team to a Premier League title in 2016.
Speaking Chelsea TV after his transfer
“I am delighted to be joining Chelsea at this very exciting time for the club,” Chilwell told the club’s website.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of this young, dynamic squad led by Frank Lampard as we challenge for honors next season. I can’t wait to get started, and hopefully, it won’t be long before we’re playing in front of the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge.”
Ben is Chelsea’s third signing in a busy summer window for the club. They had earlier completed the signing of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner and Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech. It doesn’t look like the Blues will be slowing down any time soon with veteran defender Thiago Silva’s transfer from PSG all but done. At the same time, they are also close to announcing the signing of Malang Sarr from Nice on a free transfer, with another big-money signing from Germany Kai Havertz just a mere formality.
The Chelsea Auction sales
On the other end of the transfer for the club, Pedro and Willian are two names that will not be on the team sheet next season as they’ve joined for Roma and Arsenal on a free transfer, respectively.
However, negotiation for Emerson and Bakayoko is rumoured to be on the way with Italian clubs Inter Milan and Ac Milan. Simultaneously, some young players in the team are expected to go out on loan to trim the squad size.
Building a new Roman empire
It seems Roman Abramovich is ready to spend some cash AGAIN and will expect Frank Lampard to deliver after such a massive investment in the team.
