Man United consider transfer swoop for Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell
Manchester United are considering Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell as an option to bolster their left-back area, according to the Daily Mail.
The Reds are in the market for a new left-back after seeing Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia battle injuries throughout the 2023/24 season.
Man United have now turned their attention to Chilwell, who has been Chelsea’s main left-back since joining from Leicester City in 2020.
Chilwell is surplus to requirement at Stamford Bridge following the arrival of Renato Veiga from Basel for £14 million.
Marc Cucurella, who has seen an uptick in his form, will likely take the starting berth with Viega providing cover, meaning Chelsea can afford to let the Englishman go.
Chilwell has also been struggling with injury issues, which have hampered his form. This makes Man United’s interest in his services all the more laughable.
He managed only 13 Premier League appearances last term (starting only nine), creating three big chances while winning 53% of his duels.
The Blues will bite off United’s hands if they bring forth an offer for the Milton Keynes-born star.
The 27-year-old has lost his best asset, his athleticism, due to the many injury setbacks, and his sale will help bolster Chelsea’s coffers.
Chelsea should still sign a top-class left-back
Cucurella’s upturn in form from towards last season has been noteworthy, but he is still an erratic defender, and his positioning remains quite suspect.
On the ball, he is unreliable. Full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues average around 4.03 progressive passes per 90, but Cucurella records 2.53. For comparison, Oleksandr Zinchenko registers 11.9 per game.
He is also painfully below the average of 2.11 progressive carries per game for full-backs.
Cucurella’s crossing is mediocre at best. His error-prone defensive style does not help. Chelsea should be looking to ship him off for a more reliable figure at left-back.