Former Blues striker isn’t convinced a foray for Leicester left-back should be launched, but would grab the Brighton midfielder
Lewis Dunk is the kind of defensive brute Chelsea need to bring to the field, says Tony Cascarino, with the Blues advised to spend big money on a midfielder rather than invest heavily in Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell.
Frank Lampard is eager to strengthen his defensive options in the current transfer window.
Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have already been added to the attack, while Kai Havertz, influential Bayern Leverkusen playmaker, remains a prime target.
With additional firepower detected, the focus can be shifted to filling the leaks at the rear.
England international Chilwell has been probed, but Cascarino believes the 23-year-old is overpriced at £ 80 million ($ 105 million) and would not offer the upgrade requested by the Blues.
The former Chelsea striker said so talkSPORT: “Chilwell is a great player, a great player but I don’t think he’s the greatest defender, as a left back, which ticks some boxes that Chelsea are already suffering with, with [Marcos] Alonso as left back. He is probably guilty enough of being much better one way than the other. Emerson too.
“That’s a lot of money. I saw it against Watford [a 1-1 draw in June] and Ismaila Sarr put him to death. I was quite surprised at how easily he got the better of Chilwell throughout the day.
“He’s a good player and he’s very good creatively going forward. I just think it’s a huge price for someone.
“I think Chelsea need really good full-backs in both positions who can do their defensive duties very well.
“Reece James is a great right back. You can play him in five and push him to play when you want an attacking match, but Chelsea lose too many goals and their full backs are very fundamental to the way they play.
“There are many times in games where their full backs are exposed and exploited and they are paying the price.”
For half of Chilwell’s reported price, it has been rumored that Chelsea could lure midfielder Dunk away from Premier League rivals Brighton.
Cascarino believes the option should be explored, adding: “It’s not just a brute who wins head-on. He is a good footballer. If you told me about the bottom half of the table that I think he’s the best midfield, I think it’s him.
“His consistency over several seasons has been brilliant. His collaboration with [Shane] Duffy was great. He went from two to three and did really well in three too.
“[Brighton] they are a team that has changed their bottom line so they are able to play not just back four but back five so I think Dunk is well capable and I think he will have that move and due to his level of performances, I think he has the chance to play for one of the top six clubs because he is quite good. “
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