Chelsea have made it no secret that they are prepared to search far and wide to find some of the best young prospects to add to their club.
Blues supporters are not best pleased with the direction their side are headed, and the project of signing some of the best young players in world football has irritated some.
Chelsea fans protested before their last home Premier League game at Stamford Bridge, and the youth-led initiative was one of the factors that came up.
Chelsea chiefs will argue that they have secured the services of some of the top prospects in world football. Estevao Willian will join this summer, and is not currently in line for a move away on loan.
As well as Kendry Paez, Mike Penders thinks he can start for the Blues as soon as next season amid their goalkeeper woes.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Chelsea keeping tabs on Dennis Cirkin
It looks as if Chelsea are looking closer to home than Brazil as well, and are looking at some of the top talents playing in England too.
Dennis Cirkin has caught their eye at Sunderland, with the left-back playing 31 games in the Championship this season.
The 22-year-old has contributed with goals and assists, and has regularly put in top performances for a side pushing for promotion to the Premier League.
Dennis Cirkin Championship stats Total
Appearances 31
Goals 3
Assists 2
Tackles 46
Recoveries 92
Successful passes 747
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Transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Sunderland AFC News that Chelsea are amongst the top sides who are keen on signing him amid his good form.
He said: “Keep a close eye on Cirkin. I am told a lot of Premier League clubs have been doing work on him. Chelsea, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Everton and Leeds – he is an outstanding prospect.”
The youngster is a project of the Tottenham academy, leaving in 2021 in order to get regular football. Cirkin is an England U20 international.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Sunderland expert on Dennis Cirkin Chelsea links
Despite impressing greatly for Sunderland, there are concerns over whether the left-back would be able to make the step up to a side who have ambitions of being right at the top of the Premier League.
Sunderland expert James Shearman told The Chelsea Chronicle that it would be an ‘odd’ deal for Chelsea to do.
He said: “Dennis Cirkin has undoubtedly been one of Sunderland’s top players this season, and arguably one of the best full-backs in the Championship. It makes perfect sense that Premier League clubs are now linked with a summer move but Chelsea’s interest is surprising.”
“My first concern about Cirkin joining the Blues is that the jump from the second division to the Champions League (where Chelsea want to be) is simply too great. A move to Crystal Palace, for example, seems more realistic. The other issue is that the former Tottenham man plays as a traditional full-back rather than the inverted role that Marc Cucurella enjoys at Stamford Bridge.
“One of Cirkin’s strengths is the attacking width he provides, so he would definitely need some time to adjust to Enzo Maresca’s system. I wouldn’t rule him out because he’s a talented player and only 22 years old, but this would be an odd transfer for Chelsea to make.”