Inter Milan youngster Lorenzo Pirola has made 16 Serie A appearances for them this season. (Getty Images)
According to Serie B News (h/t Daily Express), Chelsea have shown an interest in highly-rated Inter Milan youngster Lorenzo Pirola.
The 18-year-old centre-back has had a breakthrough season at Inter, making 16 Serie A appearances for the Antonio Conte-led side. A product of Milan’s youth academy, Pirola’s rise to the first-team has been swift and is considered as a key player for the future.
Having managed 7 clean sheets in his 16 games, the young defender’s impressive displays at the back saw Inter Milan extend is stay with the club until 2025. His excellent defensive displays at such a young age for Inter’s senior side have now seen a host of clubs in England, including Chelsea and rivals Manchester City inquiring about his availability.
Chelsea, who were enforced with a transfer ban last summer had to rely on the side’s young talents to carry out the first-team responsibilities this season. However, the club has successfully developed a reputation for harvesting world-class youngsters with the likes Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Reece James among others impressing for them this season.
Lampard’s decision to rely on his side’s academy players has borne fruit, with the side having climbed to 4th in the league table. Despite not making any major signings in the last transfer window, the Blues have had a successful campaign so far and they are keen to keep that conveyor belt of talent rolling.
With this regard, Chelsea have now shown an interest in Inter Milan prodigy Pirola, who has turned heads in Italy with his defensive abilities this season. Moreover, Lampard needs a defensive partner for main man Antonio Rudiger, with Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen yet to impress him.
Another academy graduate – Fikayo Tomori has been a revelation for the Blues at the back this season, making 15 league appearances. However, he is still young and has to develop further to get acquainted with the physicality of the Premier League.
Despite all that, it is evident that Lampard is building a team for the future and not just the present, which means a rising talent like Pirola will get plenty of opportunities if a move happens.
Having proved his mettle already in his debut campaign for Inter, he could prove to be an excellent signing by Chelsea for the future. Hence, they should press ahead with their interest in him.
Despite Chelsea’s good displays in the league this term, it is clear that there are some defensive woes that need attention. Hence, signing a rising talent like Pirola will only make them stronger for the future. Also, he is still in his teens and can develop to become a world-class defender in the future if he fulfils his potential.
