Chelsea have completed their first signing of the winter transfer window in form of Dylan Williams from Derby County. The 18-year-old English left-back burst into first-team this season at Pride Park Stadium after the club went into administration which forced them to sell senior players. But pacey wing-back impressed manager Wayne Rooney on his debut and since then has made 8 Championship appearances.
Dylan Williams will join Chelsea’s U-23 setup but is likely to make bench appearances for the senior team due to a lack of options in the left-back position. First-choice left-back Ben Chilwell has been ruled out of the season due to a knee injury he suffered back in November. Marcos Alonso is struggling in the left-back position with less contribution while falling back to defend.
Derby County and Chelsea are yet to announce Dylan Williams signing officially but the player posted his move to Stamford Bridge on his Instagram handle.
“Wow. I am absolutely delighted to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Thank you so much for everything the staff and players have done at Derby County. I cannot wait to get started at Chelsea” – Dylan Williams.
Chelsea Eye Summer Move For Ajax Defender Edson Alvarez:
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is in the market for a new central defender and left-back this summer. Despite spending big in the last two transfer windows, the Blues are nowhere near Liverpool and Manchester City to mount the Premier League title challenge. They are struggling in 3rd position with 44 points in the league table, 13 points behind leaders Citizens, and just 8 points ahead of sixth-placed Tottenham Hotspur who have played 4 games less.
So this quick change from title challenge to top-four race achievement has forced the Blues to dive into the transfer window. Key defenders Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christiansen, and Cesar Azilicueta have just six months remaining on their Old Trafford contracts and will definitely leave the club in the summer. That leaves Tuchel, who operates with 3-4-3 formation, with Thiago Silva who is in his 37 of age, and rotational option Malang Sarr.
According to a report from Football Insider, Chelsea are considering a bid for Ajax centre-back Edson Alvarez this month. But Premier League sides Leicester City and Crystal Palace are also keeping an eye on the 24-year-old Mexican defender who is capable of playing in any defensive position. Chelsea are not ready to spend big this month which has cost them Lucas Digne signing who joined Aston Villa.