Manchester United are ‘considering’ whether to make a move for Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell, according to the Daily Mail.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Manchester United is currently deliberating on whether to pursue Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell in the upcoming transfer window. The Red Devils are keen on bolstering their left-back position to provide competition for Luke Shaw, and Chilwell, an England international, has emerged as a viable candidate for them.
However, there is a sense of hesitation among some United fans regarding Chilwell potentially joining Old Trafford. This apprehension stems largely from concerns over his injury history, which has been quite extensive over the past four years. Since his high-profile transfer from Leicester City to Chelsea in the summer of 2020 for £50 million, Chilwell has endured a staggering 103 games on the sidelines due to various injuries. His time spent on the treatment table totals to approximately 530 days, during which he has suffered from 11 different injuries, including significant setbacks such as an ACL injury and two serious hamstring tears.
Interestingly, just a year ago, Manchester United had shown interest in another left-back from Chelsea, Marc Cucurella. The pursuit of Cucurella by United, managed at the time by Erik ten Hag, fell through as a potential loan deal collapsed right before the transfer window closed. Now, with Cucurella impressing during the recent European Championships, some fans believe United might reconsider their options and make a renewed attempt to secure his services rather than going after Chilwell.In terms of Chelsea’s stance, it is reported that they are willing to entertain offers for either Chilwell or Cucurella, indicating a potential openness to offloading one of their left-back options. This development comes as Chelsea looks to strengthen their squad with the impending signing of Renato Veiga from FC Basel, positioning him as a possible replacement in their defensive lineup.
The deliberations at Manchester United reflect a strategic approach to addressing their squad needs ahead of the new season. While Chilwell offers significant experience and international pedigree, concerns over his injury susceptibility have prompted divided opinions among supporters. The club’s decision-makers will need to weigh these factors carefully as they navigate the complex landscape of the summer transfer market.The report suggests that Manchester United is considering Ben Chilwell as a potential solution to bolster their left-back position, aiming to provide competition for Luke Shaw. However, there’s hesitancy among some United fans due to Chilwell’s extensive injury history, which includes significant time on the sidelines over the past four years.
Interestingly, United had previously shown interest in Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, but a potential deal fell through last year. With Cucurella’s impressive performances in the recent European Championships, some fans speculate that United might revisit the idea of signing him instead of pursuing Chilwell.
Chelsea, reportedly open to offers for either Chilwell or Cucurella, are looking to strengthen their squad with new signings like Renato Veiga, possibly paving the way for a departure of one of their left-back options.
Manchester United’s deliberations underscore their strategic approach to squad improvement for the upcoming season, balancing the experience and pedigree of potential signings with considerations of injury risks and fan sentiments. Their decision will likely involve careful assessment of these factors amidst the complexities of the summer transfer market.