Player Analysis: Ben Chilwell

After completing permanent deals for Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, Chelsea announced their third signing of the summer transfer window with the arrival of Ben Chilwell from Leicester City for a reported fee of £50 million. The Englishman will look to solve Chelsea's problem position of left back, a position that has been one of Chelsea's major weaknesses for quite some time.

From 2006 to 2013, Ashley Cole was arguably the finest left back in world football, but he lost his place at 32 years old to César Azpilicueta, nominally a right back. Azpilicueta starred at left back under José Mourinho, playing a fundamental role as Chelsea won the 2014/15 Premier League title, but his position was tweaked upon the arrival of Antonio Conte.

Conte switched from a back four to a back three, with Azpilicueta starting as the right-sided center back and new arrival Marcos Alonso as the left-sided wingback. Azpilicueta's position changed once again in 2016/17, as he returned to his natural right back position under Maurizio Sarri, as Emerson and Alonso competed for the left back spot.

Both Emerson and Alonso have failed to impress under new manager Frank Lampard in the 2019/20 season, leading Lampard to play Azpilicueta at left back and Reece James at right back on several occasions. It has become evident that Chelsea's left back situation must be fixed in the transfer market, and whilst Chelsea have been linked to the likes of Marc Cucurella and Sergio Reguilón, they have splurged the cash on Chilwell, who has reportedly been at the top of Lampard's transfer targets for months now.