Former Chelsea player Ray Wilkins has expressed his disappointment at Chelsea’s decision to pursue Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko rather than opt to play Nathaniel Chalobah instead.
Bakayoko looks poised to sign for the Blues in a deal worth in excess of £30m but speaking on TalkSport (quotes via the Daily Star), Wilkins believes there isn’t a good reason to pick the 23 year old Frenchman ahead of the England Under 21 international:
“I was really disappointed to read they are looking at Bakayoko from Monaco. He is 23 years of age, French and doesn’t get near the national side. But it was quoted Chelsea might be paying £32m. Well, in Nathaniel they have got a footballer that can play exactly the same but just needs an opportunity to get in there and play.”
Chalobah has only played 15 games for Chelsea despite making his senior debut on loan at Watford back in 2012. He has spent spells on loan at five other teams as well with Napoli, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Middlesbrough and Burnley all having given the midfielder game time in the past few years.
Blues boss Antonio Conte has been the only Chelsea manager to give Chalobah a chance in the first team though, giving him a club debut against Leicester City back in September.
