Club is not stressing over Chilwell link with Chelsea
LEICESTER City are relaxed over the future of Ben Chilwell amid mounting speculation the left-back will sign for Chelsea this summer, writes Jordan Blackwell.
City acknowledge that as a young, talented England international Chilwell is likely to be the subject of outside interest.
The latest reports say Chelsea have made the 23-year-old their number one priority, with the leftback keen on linking up with Stamford Bridge manager Frank Lampard.
There have even been reports of talks between the clubs.
However, City are not stressing over the matter, knowing they are in a strong position, with Chilwell under contract until 2024, the longest deal among their first-team players.
City will not be putting a price-tag on Chilwell because they have no intention of selling. But, as seen with Harry Maguire last summer, there are fees that can convince City to part with their prized assets.
However, given how highly he is rated by the hierarchy and manager Brendan Rodgers, that transfer figure, like Maguire’s, will be high.
City also believe their hand is strengthened by their potential qualification for the Champions League.
Chilwell has previously cited City’s quarter-final against Atletico Madrid as the highlight of his club football career, and he spoke this week about his eagerness to play in Europe’s top competition again.
“We can’t wait to get going again,” he said.
“We’re desperate to finish in that top four and we all want Champions League football back.”