Pundit can’t believe Ben Chilwell could be frozen out at Chelsea after £60m+ deal agreed
Noel Whelan has backed Chelsea pair Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell to “fight it out” for a starting place every week following the Spaniard’s arrival.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the big-money signing will heap “pressure” on the 25-year-old England international.
Chelsea confirmed the signing of Cucurella on Friday (5 August) – with the Spain international penning a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano updated later that day to claim the Blues will pay a fixed fee of £55million for the defender’s services – plus a potential £7million in add-ons.
Chilwell joined Chelsea in 2020 for a reported £50million but missed most of the 2021-22 campaign with a ruptured cruciate ligament.
Whelan insisted one of the two options will not be on the bench “every week” as Thomas Tuchel looks to rotate in order to fight on several fronts.
“There’s competition now,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“You can’t just have one player in one position, hence why Man City were after him too.
“You see this so many times with the big four, they like to have quality back-ups in each position. The European games and cup games demand that.
“It’s only natural now that these two will fight it out to start week-on-week. I can’t see one or the other being on the bench every game.
“It adds pressure to Chilwell, but it only strengthens Chelsea’s defence and allows Tuchel to give everyone the rest they need.”
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor can’t believe Armando Broja latest at Chelsea after “speaking to people”.