NEWCASTLE look to be frontrunners in the race to sign Ben Chilwell.
That’s the view of bookmakers William Hill, who have Eddie Howe’s men at the top of the betting markets to sign him this summer following the news he’s no longer needed at Chelsea.
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Odds to sign before September 3rd, 2024
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Chilwell joined Chelsea on a five-year deal for just shy of £50million in August 2020 and has gone on to play 106 times for the Blues.
That appearance number could and should be a lot higher, with injuries hampering him throughout his Stamford Bridge career.
Last season he took on the role as vice-captain to fellow injury-hit full-back Reece James, having penned a new deal to stay until 2027.
He even captained the side at Wembley earlier this year when Chelsea lost out to Liverpool in the League Cup final – and the infamous ‘Blue Billion Pound Bottlejobs’ game.
Now, new boss Enzo Maresca has warned he needs to leave if he wants to play regular football, with Marc Cucurella the first choice left back and playing time seemingly not coming the England international’s way.
And Chilwell hasn’t been included in any matchday squads for Chelsea this season, after only 60 minutes of game time in pre-season.
Maresca said: “With him, I said he is a lovely guy but with his position, he’s going to struggle with us,”
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Chilwell poised to leave Chelsea – who is favourites to snap him up?
Bookmakers William Hill make Newcastle the favourites at 11/8, though the Magpies have recently splashed out on former Chelsea kis Lewis Hall in that position.
Manchester United – who had been linked with a sensational swap deal involving Jadon Sancho and Chilwell – are in need of cover at left back and are second favs behind Newcastle at 11/4.
West Ham have splashed the cash this summer with optimism high of a strong season and are the only other side at a single figure price to sign him, coming next at 13/2.
Brentford and Everton are 10/1 and 11/1 respectively, while former club Leicester are 16/1 ahead of Bournemouth and Crystal Palace at 18s.
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