Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell has all of the necessary attributes to become one of the "greats in world football," as Chelsea continue to be linked with a summer switch for the England international.
That is according to former Aston Villa and West Ham United midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.
Chelsea are desperate to bolster the left-back berth this summer and Foxes star Chilwell is understood to be at the very top of Frank Lampard's wish list to strengthen that particular position.
This season, Lampard, who will be hoping to guide his side to a third successive Premier League win when they welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridger this season, has regularly swapped between Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri when it's come to deciding on who gets the nod for the left-back position.
But as the Blues look to splash the cash in an effort to bridge the gap on the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, Lampard has plans to source a new mainstay at left-back, with Chilwell appearing as his number one target.
Though the Blues are yet to formally make an approach for the 23-year-old, all of the signs suggest that Chelsea will soon make their move, and it is one that former Premier League star Reo-Coker is fully in support of, heaping praise on the defender's qualities.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Reo-Coker explained: "He really has all the attributes it takes to be one of the greats in world football.
"He gets forward, defends well, he's fantastic at one-on-one defending but also he has the ability to get up there and score goals and not many full-backs really have that ability.
"Some of them have ability to get forward and support but to also be a threat and scoring and contributing to goals for your team is another tremendous attribute to him.
"How happy is he at Leicester? What's Leicester's ambitions? Sometimes when the likes of Chelsea or Manchester City come knocking, they don't come knocking too often.
"It really is going to be a big decision but it's about where he sees his career, what he wants to pursue."
Reo-Coker's view on Chilwell matches that of former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, who admitted earlier this week that Chilwell, should he seal a move to Stamford Bridge, could nail down the left-back spot for "many years."
“He’s got the left-back position for England in his hands at the moment," said Cole.
“My advice would be to keep performing, keep consistent and if he does do that he can be England’s left-back and, if he does come to Chelsea, Chelsea’s left-back for many years. He’s a terrific player, a real talent.”
