Chelsea are looking to sign a central midfielder this summer and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been identified as the club’s number one target in that area.
As reported on Friday afternoon, football.london has been told by sources that Chelsea have made a move to sign the 25-year-old from newly-promoted Leicester City. The Foxes are currently under pressure to comply with the Premier League’s strict Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and are open to selling their Player of the Season.
Leicester are said to value Dewsbury-Hall, who came through the club’s academy system, at around £35million. Brighton are also trying to sign the talented midfielder but sources suggest he would rather a move to Chelsea instead.
Dewsbury-Hall excelled for Leicester last season as they returned to the Premier League at the first time of trying thanks to a campaign that saw them rack up 97 points on their way to the league title. Enzo Maresca, the incoming Chelsea head coach, was the man that guided the Foxes back to the top-flight and he impressed everyone at the King Power Stadium.
That includes Dewsbury-Hall, who waxed lyrical about the Italian during an interview with the EFL’s official website back in January. Asked about Maresca, the Leicester midfielder, who may well be reunited with the 44-year-old very soon, said: “I’ve been mightily impressed with him since he’s come into the football club.
“From day one, he sat us down and said how he wants us to play, his style and what he wants to implement – not just on the pitch, but also the culture of the club off it as well. He is so intelligent.
“He makes you think about football in a different way and there were even times in pre-season where us lads almost felt a bit stupid because he’d say things that we didn’t really see or understand at the time. It all seems so simple now.
“He’s a very passionate guy and I’m also very passionate about football, so we get along really well. I’ve had chats with him one-on-one about my game and he’s helping to improve me in a lot of different ways.
“He played at the top level and he’s worked under top managers, so his pedigree is very high and whenever he says something, you make sure you listen. He’s only been here a couple of months, but he’s already made a great impact, so it is quite exciting to think what he can do in the future.”
That future will not be at Leicester for Maresca, who begins his head role at Chelsea in an official capacity next week. As for Dewsbury-Hall, he could well be following suit with his former boss this summer.
