Chelsea ‘Express Interest’ in Leicester Midfielder Under Former Boss Enzo Maresca
Chelsea have reportedly "expressed interest" in Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who played under new boss Enzo Maresca in the Championship last season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Leicester’s academy at eight and broke into the first team during the 2021/22 Premier League season. Last season, he excelled in the Championship under Enzo Maresca, contributing 26 goals and assists from midfield, helping Leicester return to the top flight.
Chelsea have now identified Dewsbury-Hall as a “perfect fit” for the playing style Maresca aims to bring to Stamford Bridge, according to The Athletic. Although there has been no formal offer from Chelsea yet, Dewsbury-Hall is reportedly “keen” on the potential move. However, Chelsea may be the only club capable of persuading him to leave Leicester.
Leicester are believed to value Dewsbury-Hall at around £30 million, as indicated during Brighton & Hove Albion’s interest in January. Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest in the 25-year-old, who is under contract until the summer of 2027.
Chelsea’s history of signing midfielders from Leicester has seen mixed results. N’Golo Kante moved to Chelsea for £32 million in 2016 after winning the Premier League with Leicester. He went on to win the Premier League again with Chelsea and received several individual accolades, including PFA Players’ Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, and Premier League Player of the Season.
However, Chelsea’s subsequent signing of Danny Drinkwater from Leicester for £35 million in 2017 was less successful. Drinkwater struggled with injuries, off-field issues, and unsuccessful loans, making only 23 appearances for Chelsea before his release at the end of his contract in 2022.
Dewsbury-Hall’s potential move to Chelsea would continue the trend of high-profile transfers between the two clubs, with both parties hoping for a success similar to Kante’s rather than Drinkwater’s.
