Chelsea are being linked with a move to Myles Lewis-Skelly after the versatile Arsenal youngster was offered to the Blues as well as Manchester United
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been offered to Chelsea and Manchester United(Image: Eric Alonso)
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With the big news yesterday that Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly has been offered to Chelsea, as well as Manchester United, many questions have been raised about the Blues' squad size and whether or not Xabi Alonso could facilitate the 19-year-old at Stamford Bridge.
As exclusively reported by football.london on Tuesday morning, the versatile England international faces an uncertain future. While Lewis-Skelly extended his Arsenal contract a little over 12 months ago, he has now been offered to numerous Premier League clubs with three weeks of the summer transfer window remaining.
Chelsea hold a long-term interest in Lewis-Skelly, who had trials at Cobham during his academy days, but whether or not the Blues act on their fondness remains to be seen. So, with that said, our Chelsea writers Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss and debate the links to Lewis-Skelly and whether the west Londoners should make a move this summer.
Bobby Vincent
Stamford Bridge insiders recently told me there is unlikely to be too much in the way of incomings between now and the end of the summer transfer window. That is not too much of a surprise, with Chelsea already signing 10 players. Crucially, though, they also said not to rule anything out if the right opportunity presents itself.
Said opportunity is Lewis-Skelly. And a fantastic opportunity at that. Chelsea are long-term admirers of Lewis-Skelly and are no strangers to the teenager's potential, as well as his ability now.
Chelsea have been focused on signing 'ready-made' footballers this summer while still having one eye on the best young talent out there. Lewis-Skelly, despite being under 20, is made to go straight into the Blues first team. If not, he will be there or thereabouts.
As well as this, Lewis-Skelly's versatility means he can be used in at least two positions - in the centre of midfield or left back. Jorrel Hato and Pep Chavarria look set to be the senior options for the latter. Signing Lewis-Skelly means Chelsea will be less reliant on Hato to cover a flank and can use him in the centre of defence instead.
Alonso has an abundance of central midfielders to choose from at the moment. Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Dario Essugo, Valentin Barco, Romeo Lavia and Jordan Henderson are the engine room options for Alonso at the time of writing. Yes, that is a lot.
Essugo would benefit from a loan spell, though, so that could be one gone. It still doesn't leave Alonso much wiggle room, but an opportunity like Lewis-Skelly - for the right price - is surely too good to turn down. Let's see what Chelsea do. It could be a no-goer, though, with reports claiming Lewis-Skelly is prioritising staying at the Emirates.
Jake Stokes
The Arsenal midfielder would be a great addition to the squad, giving Alonso even more flexibility to make strong tactical changes during games. Lewis-Skelly could partner Caicedo or Fernandez in a double pivot, as he did alongside Declan Rice towards the end of last season.
The Hale End graduate could also help the Blues form a three-man midfield akin to the Paris Saint-Germain setup, where Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fabian Ruiz seamlessly rotate roles. Or, if the Chelsea manager views Lewis-Skelly as a left-back, he could always invert when in possession.
The England international has such a high ceiling - the Gunners would be crazy to let him go! My only concern would be how the Blues manage the squad. If Lewis-Skelly were to swap the Emirates Stadium for Stamford Bridge, Chelsea would need to work out what to do with Lavia and Essugo, assuming Fernandez and the two new faces – Barco and Henderson – stay.
If the teenager is viewed as an option at left-back, Hato will likely be profiled as a centre back, meaning two of Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Mamadou Sarr will need to be sold or sent out on loan. It will be hard work, but Chelsea should absolutely sign Lewis-Skelly!
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