The latest transfer speculation names Chelsea as a potential suitor to try re-sign one of their former players.
When you look across the Premier League, there’s so many top-quality individuals with ties back to Chelsea. In particular, there’s numerous stars that once spent time in the Blues academy.
It’s not uncommon for players to return to Stamford Bridge. In fact, Chelsea are adamant they’ll re-sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in 2025.
There’s now fresh speculation that Enzo Maresca’s side could look to bring back another former Blues player, too.
Chelsea join race for Southampton star Tyler Dibling
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea are now one of the clubs monitoring Tyler Dibling from Premier League strugglers Southampton.
It is explained that Southampton won’t entertain offers lower than £55m for Dibling in January. Therefore, Chelsea would need to fork up more than the £55m they paid the Saints for Romeo Lavia in 2023.
The report adds that Southampton want to keep the 18-year-old attacking midfielder at least until the summer amid interest from Chelsea, Aston Villa, Tottenham and RB Leipzig.
Dibling joined Chelsea from Southampton in the summer of 2022 as he linked up with the Blues academy. However, he actually transferred back to St Mary’s only a couple of months later due to homesickness.
Now 18, the talented English playmaker has kicked on in the South Coast and broken into the Southampton first-team squad.
The left-footed attacker, who usually plays as a right-winger or a No 10, has scored two Premier League goals so far this season. That doesn’t quite tell the story that the teenager looks a real standout player for a team rooted to the bottom of the division table.
Should Chelsea try splash the cash for Tyler Dibling?
Of course, Dibling would be a really exciting addition for any Premier League club because of what he’s showing in Southampton colours right now. It seems inevitable that he’ll be snapped up at the end of the season.
The fact that he’s proving himself in England’s top flight is another big tick by the emerging talent, but Chelsea need to remember they’ve already got a wonderkid joining them later this year.
Estevao Willian, 17, will join up with Chelsea in the summer as one of the most highly-rated prospects on the planet.
Chelsea forward Estevao looks ready for the Premier League with what he’s currently doing for Palmeiras. The Brazilian right-winger will arrive in West London with so much expectation and excitement around his name.
Therefore, it’s hard to see where Dibling fits into the Chelsea squad because it’s already quite stacked in the attacking third of the pitch.
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