Manchester United could relieve one of Ruben Amorim’s woes in the January transfer window by signing Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell this month and ending their left wing-back dilemma
Manchester United could relieve one of Ruben Amorim’s woes in the January transfer window by signing Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell this month and ending their left wing-back dilemma Manchester United could relieve one of Ruben Amorim’s woes in the January transfer window by signing Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell this month and ending their left wing-back dilemma
Manchester United could solve one of Ruben Amorim’s key issues by reigniting transfer talks with Chelsea over Ben Chilwell.
The new United boss has not enjoyed the instant upturn in form he would have hoped for at Old Trafford. Ahead of taking on Liverpool on Sunday (January 5), the Red Devils had lost six of their last eight games in all competitions, leaving them 14th in the Premier League table.
Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag following his success at Sporting CP, but adapting to his preferred 3-4-3 formation has proven to be painful. One of several problem positions is left wing-back, where Diogo Dalot has been struggling to cope in his new role.
In the summer, United reportedly turned down the chance to sign England international Chilwell, who quickly learned he was not part of new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s plans. However, the importance of wing-backs within Amorim’s team means that Chilwell joining United could be the ideal solution for all parties involved.
It was reported in August that United and Chelsea were in talks about several of their respective players, with Jadon Sancho eventually heading on loan to Stamford Bridge. Despite Chilwell no longer being a key player for Chelsea, United opted against signing him in favour of sticking with their existing options in Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, with Dalot also able to fill in on the left.
Having fallen behind Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto and Renato Veiga in the pecking order, Chilwell is one of five players Chelsea open to letting go this month, meaning a cut-price deal could be possible for United. It has been a drastic turn of events for the 28-year-old, who joined the Blues for £50million in 2020 and still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract.
As an attack-minded full-back, Chilwell has experience at wing-back and would be a far better fit for Amorim’s system, which would also allow Shaw to play as a left-sided centre-back. Amorim has been coy about United’s potential transfer activity this month but did not rule out new signings earlier this week.
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“When the window is open, we can try to do something and we will try to do something,” Amorim said. “But I think, in the next weeks, we are going to have more time to train and we can improve, that’s the only way.”
The admission from Amorim came only a few days after he attempted to dampen expectations in the January window. However, there is no doubt about Chilwell’s future at Chelsea after Maresca spoke in no uncertain terms about the full-back in the summer.
“With Chilly, I said he is a lovely guy, but he is going to struggle because of his position. He is going to struggle,” he said. “If you define this as brutal, it’s up to you to decide. For me, it’s not brutal, it’s just honest.”
Chilwell’s sole appearance for Chelsea so far this season came as a half-time substitute against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.
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