Tony Cascarino has given a glowing verdict on reported Chelsea target Lewis Dunk

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Tony Cascarino has raved about the quality of Brighton defender Lewis Dunk, who has recently been linked with a move to Chelsea.

Frank Lampard’s side have been linked with a number of centre-backs already in this summer transfer window and the Brighton captain is one that has caught the Blues radar.

The Sun claimed last weekend that Chelsea are closing in on a £40million deal for Dunk, amid interest from Tottenham too.

It is understood that the 28-year-old is a lifelong Blues supporters and manager Lampard has picked him out as someone who can improve a fragile backline at Stamford Bridge ahead of the new campaign.

Pundit Cascarino insists that the one-time capped England international fully deserves a chance to play for a top-six club in the Premier League due to the standards he has set in recent years.

“He’s not just a brute that wins headers. He’s a fine footballer. I think he’s the best centre-half at the bottom end of the table,” he told talkSPORT.

“His consistency over a number of seasons has been brilliant. His partnership with [Shane] Duffy before was exceptional. He’s moved from a two to a three and he’s done really well there.

“Because of his level of performance I think he’s owed a chance to play for a top-six club because he’s good enough.”

Chelsea clearly require some fixing in the centre of defence if they want to really kick on in the upcoming season and supporters are nervously waiting to see if the club can sign a centre-back ahead of the first game of the season, which ironically is against Brighton.

Dunk looks to be the player on paper that can be a real leader in a young squad if he moves to West London and he’s got talent on the ball, albeit reports suggest he could cost a sizeable £40million fee.

He is a 6ft 4in colossus that would improve Chelsea in terms of the weakness in defending set-pieces and his Premier League experience is invaluable, but the question would be whether or not he could make the step up to the elite and become an asset at Stamford Bridge.