Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal
Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal
We are so used to Arsenal signing players from Chelsea, but for once it could be the other way round!
It has emerged that Myles Lewis-Skelly has been offered to Chelsea, and it would not be a surprise to see the Blues bite.
Chelsea have shown interest in Lewis-Skelly in the past, a player who fits their transfer strategy.
This summer, the club have gone for more experience in the transfer window, bringing in Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, two footballers who are in their mid-30s. However, Chelsea’s preference since being taken over by BlueCo has been to sign young players with potential like Lewis-Skelly.
Looking at Chelsea’s squad, adding even more experience would not hurt, but many supporters would not say no to a young talent like Lewis-Skelly. The Club World Cup holders may need to offload one of their current midfielders to make room for the 19-year-old, though.
Myles Lewis-Skelly would be an upgrade on Dario Essugo
The most likely candidate to be sacrificed is Dario Essugo. He is also a young midfielder with potential, but Chelsea should be prepared to sell him to facilitate Lewis-Skelly’s possible arrival.
Essugo was injured for the majority of the last campaign and had a very mixed pre-season.
The 21-year-old scored in the 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers and even got to captain Chelsea. However, on the ball, he did not look too convincing and made a lot of sloppy passes in Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Dario Essugo of Chelsea is challenged
Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
Lewis-Skelly is not the finished article either, but he looks a bit more assured in the middle of the park and has proven that in some high-profile games for Arsenal.
The England international started in last season’s Champions League final against Paris-Saint Germain and did not look out of place when going up against Vitinha and Joao Neves, who are arguably the two best midfielders in football. Lewis-Skelly can also play at left-back, which is an added bonus.
Essugo has not got too many opportunities at Stamford Bridge, but if it is a choice between him and Lewis-Skelly, it is an easy decision (sorry, Essugo).