Chelsea transfer news: Blues outcast 'emerges as target' for newly-promoted club

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell.

The 28-year-old spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Crystal Palace, who have already strengthened their left-back options this summer.

Chilwell was frozen out of the first-team thinking by Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, leaving the former England man on the fringes of his senior teammates.

The left-back managed a solitary appearance under the tutelage of the Italian before being shipped out on loan to Selhurst Park in February.

Since making the high-profile move from Leicester City to Chelsea in 2020, Chilwell has featured on 107 occasions for the Blues, scoring nine goals.

Leeds 'keeping an eye' on Chelsea man Chilwell

According to Football Insider, Leeds are targeting the addition of another full-back ahead of their return to the Premier League.

The report claims that the Yorkshire Whites are keen on securing the services of Chelsea man Chilwell on a permanent deal.

Daniel Farke's men have already bolstered their left-back ranks this summer courtesy of the £10m arrival of Gabriel Gudmundsson from French outfit Lille.

However, following the departures of Junior Firpo and Max Wober at the end of the 2024-25 term, there are still places in the Whites' defensive ranks.

As well as Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley could also supposedly enter the race for Chilwell, while West Ham United have been named as an interested party.

Chilwell's career nightmare

Making 21 appearances for England's senior side since 2018, Chilwell was earmarked as the Three Lions' left-back for years to come.

However, the 28-year-old has been left in the international wilderness following his lack of match minutes over the past 12 months.

There is seemingly no way back for Chilwell at Stamford Bridge under Maresca, meaning that a permanent switch is required for the former Foxes star to reignite his career.

Written by
Carter White