Date: 14th June 2022 at 12:31pm
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Chelsea are interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.

The Lowdown: Impressed for Wolves

The 21-year-old has become an increasingly important player for Wolves ever since he joined as a teenager in 2020.

The France U21 international has made 44 league appearances for the West Midlands side, and this season he has made 20 league starts for the first time in his professional career.

The £13.5m-rated youngster has emerged as the starting full-back in Bruno Lage’s side, having featured more than club rivals Marcal and Jonny on the left.

The Latest: Chelsea Eye Ait-Nouri

According to the Daily Mail, the Blues are targeting the Wolves defender as a potential replacement for Marcos Alonso, who wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Thomas Tuchel may face a battle for the Angers Academy graduate, who is also being monitored by Manchester City.

However, former club Angers reportedly has a 50% sell-on clause for the £33k-per-week ace, and with his contract not expiring until 2026, Wolves could demand a big transfer fee.

The Verdict: Better than Alonso

If the Spain international leaves, the west London club would be left with Ben Chilwell and Baba Rahman as their only natural left wing-backs.

The former has only played seven Premier League games this campaign due to a cruciate ligament injury, and the latter hasn’t played a game for Chelsea since 2016, making a replacement for Alonso vital.

Ait-Nouri has the quality to be that player. Out of the players that have made more than five league appearances for Wolves, the 5 foot 10 defender has the highest WhoScored rating.

He is living up to the potential he displayed on his debut, which caused journalist Tim Spiers to call him “phenomenal”.

“Ait-Nouri was phenomenal. I know it’s only one game and he’s a kid, and he got a lot of space at times, but he played with such enthusiasm and really helped stretch that game out on the left.”

The 21-year-old is in the top 5% of all full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for dribbles, tackles, and pressures, showing that he can impact the game at both ends of the pitch.

Chelsea will be making a great move then if they can bring this talented young defender to Stamford Bridge.

AND in other news, Tuchel looking to replace Rudiger with Chelsea swoop for £36m-rated “phenomenal talent”…

 

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