---
title: "Exclusive: Ex-Southampton midfielder doubts Danny Ings would start at Chelsea"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-ex-southampton-midfielder-doubts-danny-ings-would-start-at-chelsea-transfers-rumour-erling-haaland-e179/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Caleb Sage"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2021-07-20T05:25:33Z"
modified: "2021-07-20T05:25:33Z"
---

# Exclusive: Ex-Southampton midfielder doubts Danny Ings would start at Chelsea

**Former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer has told [The Transfer Tavern](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/) in an exclusive interview that he cannot see Danny Ings starting at Chelsea.**

According to [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2708546/2021/07/18/chelsea-transfers-haaland-and-rice-deals-stalling-but-can-ings-and-tchouameni-satisfy-fans/), the Blues may be tempted to look at the 28-year-old, with Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland seemingly out of reach this summer.

In the last two seasons, Ings has managed to score [34](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/danny-ings/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/134294) goals in the Premier League, while his contract expires next year, making him an appealing option for a side looking for a new striker.

\[freshpress-poll id=”366675″\]

Palmer has warned, though, that the England international could struggle to find regular game time at Stamford Bridge.

*“I don’t see him starting in the Chelsea* *line-up,”* the ex-Southampton player said. *“What is he? Is he 28 now, 29? You’re not going to want to go and sit on the bench.”*

While such speculation may come as a surprise to some Chelsea supporters given that the club have been chasing Haaland, from the Blues’ perspective anyway, it is a transfer that would make a lot of sense.

Olivier Giroud has now left the club, Tammy Abraham’s future [remains in doubt](https://theathletic.com/2708153/2021/07/17/tammy-abrahams-future-at-chelsea-remains-at-a-crossroads-while-they-search-for-a-striker/) and Timo Werner was far from prolific last term, managing just [six](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/timo-werner/leistungsdaten/spieler/170527/plus/0?saison=2020) Premier League goals. They need a new No.9 and primary target Haaland looks to be off the table.