VOLENDAM - 23-10-2020, Kras Stadium. Dutch football, keukenkampioen divisie, season 2020-2021. during the match Volendam - Dordrecht. Player Volendam Nick Doodeman vs Player Dordrecht Matthew Bondswell Volendam - Dordrecht PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxNED x9658890x Copyright:
According to The Telegraph (h/t Football.london), Chelsea are ready to make a move for highly-rated full-back Matthew Bondswell. The RB Leipzig defender has caught the attention of the Blues during his loan spell in the Netherlands this season and the club are prepared to make a move for him as early as January. West Ham are also said to be interested in the player.
A youth product of Nottingham Forest, Bondswell spent 8 years in their academy from 2010 to 2018. In 2018, he was snapped up by RB Leipzig and drafted to their U-17 side. He went on to make 23 appearances for them that season, assisting once.
In the following season, he was promoted to the U-19s. That season, he appeared in 17 games in all competitions providing two assists. In order to get more game time, he was sent on loan to Dutch side FC Dordrecht.
So far, he has played 7 games for them and produced some splendid performances for the side. This has caught the attention of several European teams so far. The Englishman has appeared for the England youth sides and was recently a part of the U-18s.
At 18 years of age, Bondswell has made a name for himself in European football. He has impressed at youth levels for Leipzig and is now doing the same at FC Dordrecht. His loan deal ends next season after which he will be back at Leipzig and probably be given a shot at the first-team.
While Chelsea did get Ben Chilwell in the summer, who has made the left-back spot his own, there remain questions over the second choice. Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso have fallen down the pecking order, with Emerson particularly linked with an exit from the club.
This leaves Chilwell as the only left-back at Frank Lampard’s disposal. The problem is that they need someone who will be content with an understudy role. Something they can’t get from Emerson and Alonso, given their experience.
This is where the signing of Bondswell makes sense. At 18, he is one for the future. He is clearly very talented even for his young age. Chelsea should definitely snap him up to secure their left-back position for the future.
