Chelsea agree £30m deal to sign Leicester City’s Dewsbury-Hall
Chelsea have secured the signing of midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City for a reported £30 million, according to The Athletic.
The 25-year-old is set to undergo a medical today after both clubs agreed on a deal. Personal terms have already been finalised on a contract running until 2030.
Dewsbury-Hall impressed under new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca during the Foxes’ Championship title run last season. He reportedly turned down interest from Brighton & Hove Albion, opting for a move to Stamford Bridge to reunite with his former manager.
Dewsbury-Hall racked up an impressive 12 goals and 14 assists (20 big chances created) in 41 league appearances last season.
The arrival of the talented midfielder adds depth and creativity to the Chelsea squad as they look to challenge for major honours in the upcoming season and return to the upper echelon of European football.
However, Chelsea’s signing of the Nottingham-born star leaves Conor Gallagher fighting for his future at the club.
The Cobham academy graduate had an excellent campaign for the Blues but is being auctioned to several clubs. Chelsea want to sell him for pure profit just as Leicester City sold Dewsbury-Hall to balance their books.
Gallagher will return from the 2024 European Championship to find another player ahead of him in the pecking order, even though the said player is not much better than him.
Worry for the Premier League?
Whisper it in low tones, but there’s a growing concern that the Premier League is on the verge of replicating the pitfalls of early 2000s Serie A.
We can draw parallels between the unnecessary spending, whispers of financial manipulation, and questionable officiating decisions.
Also, the recent boardroom misdirection at several big clubs (see Chelsea and Manchester United) is a massive worry.
Serie A’s fall from grace is a cautionary tale. The Premier League needs to tread carefully and address these issues to prevent a similar decline from its current position as the best league in the world.