Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuit for a new left-back this summer, with Leicester not willing to listen to offers for Ben Chilwell.
The England international has been on Frank Lampard’s radar as a potential replacement for Marcos Alonso. A previous report from the Evening Standard stated the Foxes would only be looking to sell the 23-year-old if they received a similar amount to the £80million paid for Harry Maguire. They then decided they would accept closer to £50m due to the financial impacts of pandemic.
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However, according to ESPN, Brendan Rodgers has now firmly shut the case on any speculation over Chilwell. The Leicester boss has stated they will not be selling the defender this summer.
“He’s a Leicester player, he’s not a player that I’m worried about at all,” Rodgers said in a press conference. “We’ve got a fantastic squad, one that we want to keep together.
“There’s no intention for us to sell Chilwell and we don’t need to sell Chilwell. He’s not for sale.”
Chelsea are looking to kit out their squad ahead of next season and have already made the first steps in their transition. New arrivals Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner will undoubtedly transform the attack, but defence is also a problem on Frank Lampard’s mind.
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The Blues may be able to convince Leicester to sell but for now, it seems Rodgers and his side are keeping tight hold of Chilwell as they too look to challenge in the Champions League.
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