Man City or Chelsea? Assessing Where Ben Chilwell Should Go This Summer

This one could get juicy.


Leicester's first choice left-back - and England's too - is being eyed up by two of the country's top sides, as Manchester City and Chelsea go head-to-head for Ben Chilwell's signature.


The more prominent lines across the media are that the Blues will be the victors in securing the 23-year-old's signature, but 90min understands that City will rival them all the way in a bid to solve their own issues.


And it's just that. Both clubs have distinct problem areas in their squad, with neither having a reliable left-back that either doesn't pop off on holiday without asking or knows how to defend properly.


They're the two sides leading the charge and if either can reach deep enough into their pockets to stump up the Foxes' £75m asking price, then Chilwell may have an intriguing decision on his hands.


Where should he go, though? Let's analyse.



Chelsea


Frank Lampard is keen on bringing Chilwell to Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have, at present, two left-backs. Neither, however, are any good.


The majority of that comes down to the fact that their defensive capabilities leave plenty to be desired. Emerson is often caught out of position with inferior tactical awareness, whereas Marcos Alonso has always operated best in a system where his general lack of being-able-to-defend can't be exposed. He's basically a left midfielder playing at the back.


So it's clear they need to reinforce the position, but will adding Chilwell solve the issue?


One of the main reasons he's garnered so much praise in the past two seasons has been his effectiveness in a Leicester side that love to counter-attack and get their full-backs high up the pitch. Chilwell's efficiency in the final third is unquestionable, and his one-two movements and link up play with the forward line is impressive.


That doesn't tend to reflect on the stats, however. He's got three assists and two goals this term to add to his five set up's last season, but his work rate up and down the left hand side constantly occupies opposition defenders, forcing them to track his runs in numbers.


This shifting of positions across the opponent's midfield will open the spaces for Chelsea's creative players to flourish. Get Jorginho on the ball and he can pick a pass. Get Mason Mount on the ball and he can lay on a teammate or shoot himself.


Boasting fine endurance and relentless running, he keeps other engaged which will work only benefit those around him.


But, there is a catch.


Ben Chilwell after his side concede to Liverpool

Sure, Chilwell is a talented player, but the hype around his ability is naturally blown out of proportion due to him being English and having something called a left foot.


Defensively there are questions marks over his ability. His tackling is nowhere near polished enough, and that's working on the basis he actually does tackle in the first place.


Comparing City and Chelsea, the latter will dominate matches less often than the former, which is why...



Manchester City


Pep Guardiola is eager to fix his left-back dilemma

He probably should join City.


Is he actually good enough to play for City? That's one question that remains, but Guardiola clearly thinks so given the seriousness of their interest.


As touched on, City control possession for such lengthy periods of time that their full-backs often sit furthest up the pitch on most occasions. This is the area where Chilwell's best qualities shine, and in an interchanging City forward line that relies on explosions of pace and intricate passing, it could be the perfect fit.


The defensive inadequacies we spoke of will need working on if he is to reach a higher level, and while Frank Lampard has proven many people wrong in his maiden top flight managerial role, as someone in need of experienced coaching, Guardiola wins hands down.


He's managed some fine left-backs during his career such as David Alaba and Jordi Alba, so you'd like to think he knows a thing or two about the position he could pass on to Chilwell.


Also worth noting is the strength of central defenders he'll line up alongside. The Blues have started matches with various different centre-back partnerships, and coming into an unsure defensive situation could hinder Chilwell's integration.


Granted, City have done the same this season, but with Aymeric Laporte (arguably the second best in his position in the division) back in the side and possible further additions to come, he can only get better.


Leicester City's number 3

It's fair to say he'd suit both clubs (many clubs, in fact), but the managerial expertise of each boss will be crucial to his development, so for that reason City get the nod.



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Source : 90min