Exclusive: Chelsea rising star in contract stalemate, Jan door opens for PL & German clubs

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

18 Jan 2021, 9:03 am

Top clubs are keeping tabs on Chelsea attacking midfielder Marcel Lewis amid a contract stalemate, Football Insider can reveal.

The 19-year-old is out of contract in the summer but has yet to agree extended terms despite shining in Premier League 2.

A Chelsea source has told Football Insider this has opened the door for a number of Premier League and Bundesliga clubs to swoop in the January window.

The number 10 or wide attacker has made 10 appearances this season in Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy, contributing with four goals and four assists.

The England Under-20 international is regarded as a huge talent and German clubs can tie him to a pre-contract from this month.

He has been training with the Blues' first team in recent weeks but is yet to make a matchday squad for the senior side.

The Cambridge-born ace played a key role in the Chelsea Under-18 side that reached last season's FA Youth Cup final.

Lewis scored a hat-trick against Wolves in the fifth-round and found the net and provided an assist in their 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in the final.

After playing a bit-part role for the Under-23s last term, he has emerged as a regular this season.

In his last two appearances for Andy Myers' side, the versatile attacker has scored three goals - including a brace against Manchester United.

He was also involved in their fiery London derby against Spurs Under-23s last month which saw Petr Cech return to action and 16-year-old Alfie Devine sent off for a dangerous challenge on Danny Drinkwater.

Lewis scored Chelsea's second goal and provided the assist for their third in the Blues' 3-2 win at Kingsmeadow.

In other news, Football Insider can reveal a transfer has collapsed after a U-turn from an Aston Villa star.

Chelsea FC