Manchester United and Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle to sign their defender. It is understood that Manchester United are now dealing with a large number of injuries as the new season begins in two weeks, and Inoes is attempting to replace some of their injured team members.
Manchester United have expressed interest in acquiring Chelsea’s left-back, Ben Chilwell. Chilwell, who transferred to Chelsea from Leicester City in 2020 for a fee of £45 million, has made a notable impact with the club. He has appeared in 106 matches, netted 9 goals, and provided 12 assists. During his tenure at Chelsea, he has also secured victories in prestigious competitions, including the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.
Despite these accomplishments, Chilwell’s future at Chelsea is uncertain following the arrival of new manager Enzo Maresca. Reports suggest that Chilwell may not align with Maresca’s tactical vision, which prioritizes full-backs who can adopt a more modern, inverted role. According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Maresca, who admires Pep Guardiola’s coaching style, prefers full-backs who can transition into midfield and perform hybrid duties—something that Chilwell’s traditional full-back approach does not suit.
Crook elaborated, stating, “Chilwell’s playstyle as a conventional left-back doesn’t mesh with Maresca’s system. Maresca wants his full-backs to play more like Guardiola’s, stepping into midfield and contributing in multiple areas. This isn’t Chilwell’s natural style. Given that Manchester United are reportedly interested in him, there could be a chance for a transfer this summer. Chelsea might consider cashing in, especially since they have Marc Cucurella, who ended last season on a high note and comes off a strong performance with Spain in the Euros.”
The potential move comes at a time when Manchester United is dealing with significant challenges at the left-back position. Last season, injuries plagued their defensive line, with Luke Shaw missing a total of 16 games between August and November and then being sidelined again from February for the remainder of the season. To cover for Shaw’s absence, the club brought in Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham on loan.
Adding to their woes, Tyrell Malacia was out for the entire season due to a knee injury and missed the pre-season tour in the United States while in recovery. These injury concerns have made the acquisition of a reliable left-back a priority for Manchester United.
However, it’s worth noting that Chilwell himself struggled with injuries last season, sidelining him for 35 games due to hamstring and knee issues. He managed only 21 appearances in all competitions, with just 13 starts. Given these circumstances, Manchester United’s interest in Chilwell is understandable, as they seek to bolster their options in a position that has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency.
The speculation around Chilwell’s potential transfer adds an intriguing subplot to the summer transfer window. As both clubs look to refine their squads, the outcome of this potential deal could significantly impact their respective campaigns. For Chelsea, offloading Chilwell might be a strategic move, freeing up space and resources for other signings. For Manchester United, securing Chilwell could provide much-needed depth and reliability in a key defensive area, assuming his injury concerns can be managed.
