Former Chelsea star has doubts over Ben Chilwell transfer due to price and defensive ability, but lauds Lewis Dunk with £40million deal mooted

Former Chelsea star Tony Cascarino has backed their move to sign ‘brilliant’ Lewis Dunk but has reservations about the signing of Ben Chilwell.

The Blues have turned to their defensive dilemmas having made two big attacking signings in the transfer window.

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Chilwell has come through the ranks at Leicester and made 123 appearances but could leave for Chelsea

Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have both arrived at Stamford Bridge, while Bayer Leverkusen superstar Kai Havertz could also come in.

Now, though, manager Frank Lampard has started to focus on signing defenders to strengthen his side’s major weakness.

It’s been reported Chelsea are slowly getting closer to agreeing a deal to land Leicester left-back Chilwell for £60million plus add-ons, while fresh reports suggest Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk could head to west London for £40m.

Chilwell’s possible arrival, though, hasn’t quite captured Cascarino’s imagination as he has concerns about the England star’s defensive ability.

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He told the Weekend Sports Breakfast: “Chilwell is a very good player, a very good footballer but I don’t think he’s the greatest defender, as a left-back, which sort of ticks a few boxes that Chelsea are already suffering with, with [Marcos] Alonso at left-back. He’s probably quite guilty of being far better going one way than the other. Also Emerson.

“It’s a lot of money. I watched him against Watford [a 1-1 draw in June] and Ismaila Sarr absolutely ran him ragged. I was quite surprised how easily he got the better of Chilwell on the day.

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Chilwell has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League in recent seasons

“He’s a good footballer and he’s very good creatively going forward. I just think it’s a huge price for someone.

“I think Chelsea need, in both positions, really good full-backs who can do the defensive work duties really well.

“Reece James is a great right-back. You can play him in a five and push him on when you want an attacking minded game but Chelsea leak too many goals and their full-backs are very pivotal to the way they play. There are a lot of times in games that their full-backs are being exposed and exploited and they’re paying the price.”

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But Cascarino is adamant landing Dunk would be a great deal for Chelsea and feels many aren’t appreciative of his qualities at the back.

“He’s not just a brute that wins headers. He’s a fine footballer,” he remarked about the Brighton star.

“If you said to me, of the bottom half of the table who I think is the very best centre-half, I think it’s him.

Dunk is a commanding presence in defence for Brighton

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

“[Brighton] are a side who have changed their backline so he’s capable of playing not only in a back-four but a back-five, so I think Dunk is well capable and I think h will have that move and 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.”