Versatile England international Myles Lewis-Skelly has been offered to Chelsea in the summer transfer window following the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes at Arsenal
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly
Chelsea have been presented with the chance to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
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Earlier today, football.london brought you the exclusive news that Chelsea, along with Manchester United, have been offered the opportunity to sign Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The 19-year-old was a bit-part player under Mikel Arteta for the majority of the 2025/26 campaign, but did win his place back towards the end of the season. Lewis-Skelly was rewarded with a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium last summer, but just over 12 months after putting pen to paper, the versatile England international faces an uncertain future.
Chelsea hold a long-term interest in Lewis-Skelly, who had trials at the club's academy as a child, but whether or not they pursue a move for the Arsenal man remains to be seen. Lewis-Skelly has shown enormous promise with the Gunners in recent seasons while being asked to play in a variety of positions - mainly at left back and in the centre of midfield.
Marc Cucurella's £51.7million move to Real Madrid earlier in the summer left Chelsea short on options on the left-hand side of defence. Jorrel Hato is set for a more prominent role in the first team under Xabi Alonso after an impressive second half of last season but the Dutchman is also an option for the centre of defence.
Pep Chavarria has arrived from Rayo Vallecano, subject to official club confirmation, and the Spaniard is more of an out-and-out left back for Alonso. Landon Emenalo caught the eye for Chelsea during their pre-season tour and is another option for the left side of defence, although first-team minutes might be limited for the teenager, especially with no European football for Alonso and his team in the new season.
Lewis-Skelly, if signed, could provide adequate cover on that flank, especially if Chelsea end up using Hato as more of a centre back. However, Lewis Skelly sees himself as more of a central midfielder and has arguably played his best football in an Arsenal shirt in the engine room.
In an interview in January 2024, Lewis-Skelly spoke about his preferred position being as a No.6 or a No.8. Speaking to Arsenal's official website, he said: "My best position is either a No 6 or No 8. I’m not too sure yet, but I’m just continuing to try my best to master both. Whatever it takes, I’m ready to play in the [No] 6 or [No] 8 role."
Chelsea have Moises Caicedo, the only 'untouchable' midfielder at the club, as well as Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, Valentin Barco and Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the field. Reece James, Chelsea's captain, can also slot into the midfield.
Fernandez's future remains up in the air, but there is a growing expectation that the Argentine will remain at Stamford Bridge after Real Madrid released a statement saying they will not be pursuing a deal to sign the 25-year-old this summer.
Lewis-Skelly might feel like he has a better opportunity of breaking into the Chelsea midfield after the Gunners strengthened that area following their Premier League title triumph. Bruno Guimaraes recently penned a long-term deal at the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal paid Newcastle United £75million for the Brazil international's services.
At the moment, there is only the fact Lewis-Skelly has been offered to Chelsea. There are no talks or an offer from the Blues at the time of writing, but it would be a real statement to sign such a talent from arch rivals Arsenal if anything does materialise.