John Eustace celebrates the win at Hull City
Derby County head coach John Eustace.
Derby County have reportedly held talks with Chelsea to sign their young defender Alfie Gilchrist.
The 21-year-old, who operates primarily in central defence or as a right-back, spent last season on loan at .
He featured consistently under as the Blades narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League, and would go on to fall at the final hurdle after shocked them in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium in May.
Gilchrist played 32 times across all competitions in 2024/2025, notching two assists as he made a solid impression before an ankle injury curtailed his involvement in the end of season run-in.
Now, after returning to Stamford Bridge this summer with his future up in the air, signs seem to point to Pride Park amid reports the have formally opened discussions over a loan deal.
Alfie Gilchrist celebrates scoring his first senior goal for Chelsea against Everton in April 2024 (Image: 2024 Chelsea FC)
Daily Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath confirmed in a post on X: "Chelsea have held talks with Derby County over a move for Alfie Gilchrist. The 21yo was on loan at #SUFC last season."
A lifelong Blues supporter, Gilchrist joined the club's academy in 2014 after spells with Old Isleworthians and QPR, and would go on to captain Chelsea's youth sides before making his senior debut in 2023.
He would score his first senior goal in the dying minutes of a 6-0 win over Everton in the English top flight in April 2024, before he was shipped out to South Yorkshire on loan.
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