Sports Joe Cole believes Chilwell could be Chelsea's left back for many years
Ben Chilwell has the talent to become Chelsea’s left-back for many years to come.
That’s the view of Chelsea legend Joe Cole, who believes a move from Leicester to Stamford Bridge would be a big step up in his career.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is keen to add Chilwell to his squad, who caught the eye with a stunning strike in Leicester’s 1-1 draw with Watford.
Blues have just spent £53m on striker Timo Werner and it would take a bid close to the £85m that Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire last summer for Leicester to consider selling him.
‘Similar to Werner, he fits the ethos – he is young, he’s hungry, he’s explosive and athletic,’ said BT Sport pundit Cole.
‘I think he’s got a lot of talent, if he comes to Chelsea, working with the group there – in Brendan he’s got a great manager and a great team up at Leicester. But Chelsea’s a step up from Leicester.
‘I know they are sitting above Chelsea in the table at the moment but having the opportunity to work with Frank and improve would be immense for him.
‘He’s got the left-back position for England in his hands at the moment. My advice would be to keep performing, keep consistent and if he does do that he can be England’s left-back and if he does come to Chelsea, Chelsea’s left back for many years. He’s a terrific player, a real talent.’
Lampard has wasted little time in shaping Chelsea in his image.
The confirmation of Werner’s impending arrival from RB Leipzig for £53m, from right under Liverpool’s nose, has heightened the levels of excitement around Stamford Bridge.
Werner was one of the most highly-rated players in Europe, with 32 goals this season and only Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski scoring more in the Bundesliga in the last four seasons.
His signing follows the purchase of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax in February while Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Kai Havertz remains on the radar.
Chelsea’s backing of Lampard in the transfer market comes alongside the manager’s building of a squad filled with young, English talent.
Yet Werner’s arrival in particular will put pressure on striker Tammy Abraham, who has scored 13 goals in the Premier League season but also suffered with injuries.
However Lampard decides to utilise his new weapons, former Chelsea title winner Joe Cole believes it will push Abraham to reach even higher levels.
‘Tammy Abraham will embrace the challenge of Werner coming in and will improve because his attitude is second-to-none,’ said BT Sport pundit Cole, who won three Premier League titles with Chelsea under Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.
‘Frank understands the importance of competitive squads to drive you on and push you, I think the players will accept it as part of the reality of playing for Chelsea and it will improve them, I believe in that.’
It’s not just an issue for Abraham. Olivier Giroud has signed a contract extension for next season, while Calum Hudson-Odoi has found it tough for first-team starts.
‘That’s the nature of the beast, if you are at any big club, you know that there is a whole team of people scouring the world looking for someone to come in to take your job, to do your job better than you within the team,’ said Cole.
‘Players at the top level should know that is normal at a club like Chelsea. If you can’t accept that as a reality playing for such a massive club, that’s the reason why certain players stay at middle clubs because they get comfortable in that position.
‘Certainly, the lads who have come through the system at Chelsea who I’ve got to know over the years, their attitude and education that they have been based on, they will embrace the challenge.’
