Chelsea: Ben Chilwell would be a great signing except for the current left backs

Chelsea has consistently been linked to Ben Chilwell in recent months. He would be a great signing except for all the current left backs.

A transfer rumor can be evaluated on many metrics. One is obviously the source. Another is the volume of the rumor. If there is nothing to it, it is a flash in the pan regardless of the source. But if there is smoke to all that fire, it matters less what the source is. Someone, somewhere, is on to something.

That appears to be the case with Ben Chilwell to Chelsea rumors. The Blues are still under a transfer ban that could be lifted by the winter window or could simply end next summer. No great source has made the link yet but these links have been continuous almost since the season began. Something is happening on the Chilwell to Chelsea front.

Chilwell would be a fantastic signing. He is young, extremely talented, and can reach great heights yet. The only negative would be the price hike for being homegrown. And the fact that it would spell the end for one of Chelsea’s other left backs.

On his own, Chelsea does not need a player like Chilwell. The Blues currently have two solid left backs and one very promising academy left back in the pipeline. But if Chilwell really is coming to Chelsea, it would spell the end of someone’s time in Blue.

Over the summer, it appeared that player would be Marcos Alonso. He is the oldest left back Chelsea has and perhaps the easiest to move along. It would not be hard to convince a Spanish club with an aging left back to take a look at a prime Alonso.

But recent weeks may have changed that perception. A player that seemingly was going to be deputy for much of the season was made a starter as Emerson was injured and he grabbed the chance and has not let go. He still might be the most movable, but in a squad full of young talent, it may actually be easier to keep hold of someone older like Alonso.

On paper, Emerson is Chelsea’s first choice left back but his injury has kept him out long enough that Alonso has raised a question about that. Emerson would also be relatively easy to move and could potentially see Chilwell as too much of a threat to his starting role. If Emerson is okay with splitting time with Chilwell things could be fine, but he will like his odds much better against Alonso.

And then there is Ian Maatsen to consider. Maatsen is not yet ready to be thrown into the deep end but he has shown enough promise to say that he will be there one day. Chilwell would be only 23 by the time he could potentially sign for Chelsea and it could very easily turn into a Kepa Arrizabalaga and Marcin Bulka situation. Frank Lampard may be all about giving the youth chances, but it would be very difficult for any young player to see the pipeline clogged like that by another young player who has already established themselves.

So despite Chilwell being a good signing, it would come with repercussions like all other signings do. One of Emerson or Alonso would clear out to make room. Maatsen might see his window of opportunity close and that may make him reconsider his own future. Chelsea should not be afraid of making a good signing, but they do need to be aware of what it could cause if they do.