Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell has become a shock target for Manchester United.
The England international joined Chelsea from Leicester City in a £50 million transfer in 2020.
Much like our primary left-back, Chilwell struggled to stay fit last season and managed only 21 appearances under Mauricio Pochettino.
It’s a shock to see United linked with Chilwell given his record with injuries. The last thing we need going into the new season is more injuries, with Leny Yoro suffering a metatarsal injury against Arsenal last weekend.
Fast forward to life under newly appointed Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and there is growing concerns about how Chilwell will fit into the new set-up, especially after Marc Cucurella was a standout in Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 squad.
According to talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook, Chilwell is among United’s targets this summer.
“Chilwell doesn’t really fit into the his [Maresca] system,” Crook said. “What he likes his full-backs to do is a bit like Pep Guardiola, because we know he’s a Guardiola disciple. He wants to push on into midfield and play that hybrid role. That isn’t really Chilwell.
“He’s an out and out left back. Maresca has said that. I think there is a possibility that if there is interest, I know he’s on Manchester United’s list of potential targets this summer.
“There may be Chelsea cash in because he’s also got Marc Cucurella, who finished last season really well.
“He’s coming back high in confidence, having just been a big part of that Spain team that won the Euros.”
Shaw spent the back end of last season out with a hamstring injury despite returning during the knockout stages of the European Championship in Germany this summer. To make matters worse for United, Tyrell Malacia missed the entirety of last season with a knee problem. The Dutch left-back has not gone on the pre-season tour of the US as he continues his recovery at Carrington.
When asked about Chilwell’s role in the team, Maresca said: “Chilly is a left-back, for sure. I see him as I’ve always seen him like a left full-back.”
The former Leicester City boss added: “His situation is a bit delicate in terms of we are trying to find a solution for him in terms of position.
“But he probably needs a bit of time. Delicate in terms of finding the right position for him.
“We want players that can perform 100 per cent and for sure in these two or three weeks, Malo and Reece can both do the work required of them and both finish with more assists or more dangerous in the way they were being used in the past because in that position they are good enough to make last passes because their quality, they are both very good.”
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