Why Tottenham must make a move for Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell

According to the Times, Tottenham are among a host of Premier League clubs interested in signing Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell this summer.

The England international, 23, has played a key part for Leicester City in what has mostly been an impressive season that looks likely to end in Champions League qualification despite their poor run of form of late. Ben Chilwell has made 27 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes this term and his performances have also caught the attention of Chelsea and Manchester City, the report adds.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have stuttered in recent weeks, losing back-to-back Premier League games to Chelsea and Wolves. They remain in the hunt for a top-four finish, with Jose Mourinho’s side five points off fourth-placed Chelsea.

Spurs have struggled defensively this season, conceding 39 goals in 28 games. Neither Toby Alderweireld nor Davinson Sanchez has lived up to the required standards this season. Sanchez has been error-prone at the back, while Alderweireld’s form has been up and down.

Jan Vertonghen has entered the final few months of his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and could be on the move at the end of the season if the club doesn’t extend his contract.

The left-back area has also been a problematic one for Mourinho, who allowed Danny Rose to join Newcastle United on loan until the end of the season. Ben Davies is yet to get to the speed after returning from a long-term injury.

Due to a lack of options in that area, Mourinho has used academy product Japhet Tanganga and while the youngster hasn’t performed badly, the Spurs boss should recruit a new left-back in the summer. Having said that, Tottenham must make a move for Ben Chilwell.

After enjoying his breakthrough campaign at Leicester in the 2016/17 season, Chilwell has gone onto make 95 Premier League appearances so far. He has established himself as a quality Premier League defender, becoming an undisputed first-choice left-back for the Foxes under Rodgers. At just 23, the Milton Keynes-born man has also represented England 11 times so far.

Talented and with plenty of room for improvement in the years to come, Chilwell has shown his ability to perform in the English top-flight and would be a valuable asset to the team if he is able to replicate the same form he has shown at the King Power Stadium over the last two seasons. He would be an option to compete with Davies for the left-back spot at Spurs next term.

Read more

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• Why Tottenham should make a move for Ivan Perisic
• Why Tottenham must snap up Watford’s Ben Foster in the summer

The Englishman’s massive potential means he could well prove to be a smart long-term investment for Spurs, who have been shipping goals at a shocking rate this season.

Verdict

Chilwell is a proven Premier League performer and could unlock his true potential under the guidance of Mourinho. All in all, Tottenham must do everything possible to recruit him this summer.