Chelsea will be keen to add to their British contingent this summer in order to comply with Premier League and Champions League regulations.
While Frank Lampard keeps tabs on the likes of Jadon Sancho, Ben Chilwell, and Declan Rice, buying British doesn’t have to break the bank.
Here are seven English footballers who would make valuable additions to the Chelsea squad:
Eberechi Eze
The 21-year-old Queens Park Rangers forward has set the Championship alight this season, amassing 12 goals and eight assists despite playing for a mid-table side.
His powerful dribbling and delicate touch make Ezra an all-action forward who could excel under the tutelage of Lampard - who loves a direct and fearless attacker.
QPR won’t be able to turn down a bid of around £20 million, making him a relatively cheap squad player for Chelsea and good competition for the likes of Christian Pulisic.
Jude Bellingham
Seemingly every elite club in Europe wants Birmingham City starlet Bellingham, which is hardly surprising given the remarkable impact he has had, despite his tender years.
The 16-year-old demands the ball, dropping intelligently into space before dribbling aggressively between the lines.
As with Eze, it’s his assertiveness on the ball that should attract Lampard.
Bellingham, a box-to-box midfield player, understandably still needs time to improve his decision-making and final ball. He is definitely one for the future, although if Chelsea want to enjoy his peak years they need to act now.
Dwight McNeil
Burnley’s breakout star this season is a 21-year-old winger excelling precisely because he does not conform to what Sean Dyche usually wants. McNeil’s maverick presence on the left, dribbling infield or crossing from out wide, has shaken up some stale tactics at Turf Moor.
He might prove to be too expensive for Chelsea, especially considering they already have Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi in McNeil’s position.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Injuries have significantly hampered the Wolves midfielder’s progress this season, limiting him to just one league start, but that is exactly why Chelsea should pounce now on a potentially generational talent.
Whatever Gibbs-White’s price is this summer, it will be double by the same time next year.
His flair, technical ability, and vision make the 20-year-old among Europe’s most exciting young playmakers. Under Lampard, he could become the driving force through midfield that Ross Barkley was supposed to be.
Oliver Norwood
At 28, Norwood isn’t going to develop much further and certainly would struggle to break into the Chelsea first team, but nevertheless the Sheffield United midfielder would make an excellent addition to the dressing room.
He has been the linchpin for Chris Wilder’s side in 2019/20, completing more passes, key passes, and crosses than any other United player.
What’s more, two years of coaching under Wilder ensures he has the positional intelligence to mix it with the likes of N’Golo Kante. Norwood deserves a shot at a big club.
Max Aarons
Norwich’s 20-year-old right-back has shone this season even though he’s part of the Premier League’s second leakiest defence and has recorded just one assist.
Aarons has self-assurance beyond his years and looks adept at both ends, attracting attention from Tottenham Hotspur in particular.
Reece James’s emergence at Stamford Bridge this season probably limits the game time Aarons could expect at Chelsea, although some have suggested James may be converted to a more advanced role in the near future.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Carlo Ancelotti has found a way to get the best out of Everton’s young striker, who has added clinical finishing to his game this season in order to keep Moise Kean out of the side.
We know from Olivier Giroud’s time on the bench that Lampard likes a young English striker, and so after scoring 13 times in 22 starts for Everton Calvert-Lewin might appeal.
Everton won’t let him go without a hefty fee, mind, and if that’s the case then Abramovich will probably prefer to sign an established star from mainland Europe. Timo Werner is certainly a more obviously attractive target than the 23-year-old Evertonian.
