Chelsea's Ben Chilwell replacement could become their Destiny Udogie

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 13 Feb 2024 17:22 GMT
• 4 min read

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez as they look to sign a new left-back this summer.

The Blues loaned out Ian Maatsen to Borussia Dortmund during the January transfer window and sent Lewis Hall on loan to Newcastle last year due to the presence of Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella.

However, Chilwell has been perennially injured over the past few seasons, while Cucurella has massively underperformed since his €65.3 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022. As a result, Chelsea are in the hunt for a new left-back ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to Ben Jacobs, Kerkez is a player that Chelsea admire. He recently admitted: “Chelsea still also want a left-back and another centre-back. It’s true that Bayern’s Alphonso Davies is appreciated, although Real Madrid is his most likely destination if a new deal with Bayern isn’t agreed.

“Chelsea are also scouting Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, who has a big future ahead of him. Scouting doesn’t mean anything too concrete, and it’s not thought the club have made any determination yet on him. It’s probably more one for 2025 or beyond if he continues to develop.”

Interest in Kerkez should come as little surprise given his immediate adaptation to life in the Premier League this campaign.

The 20-year-old Hungary international has been one of Bournemouth’s standout players so far this season and has continued the fine form that convinced Andoni Iraola’s side to spend €17.9m on his services last summer.

During his final campaign at AZ Alkmaar, Kerkez scored five times and provided seven assists in all competitions and although his attacking contribution has diminished at Bournemouth in 2023-24, his defensive ability has stood out massively.

Kerkez is a very active defender and his 1v1 threat is brilliant in both defensive and attacking situations.

If he was to join Chelsea, Kerkez would provide direct competition for Chilwell and could see Cucurella offloaded after two years at Stamford Bridge.

The young Hungarian is a sublime talent and appears destined for a move to a top European club at some point soon. Of course, he spent time at AC Milan before joining AZ Alkmaar - after being handpicked by Paolo Maldini - but Kerkez is now ready to return to the highest level of European football.

Milos Kerkez: Chelsea’s Destiny Udogie?

Kerkez’s ability is sky-high and he has the eighth-highest SciSkill potential of any left-back in world football, , according to data analytics experts SciSports.

SciSports’ AI-driven algorithm combines countless different statistics to generate a SciSkill rating and potential rating for every player in the world, and only seven left-backs have a higher potential than Kerkez.

Tottenham Hotspur star Destiny Udogie leads the way after a stellar first six months in the Premier League, while Real Madrid target and Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is narrowly behind him in second.

Paris Saint-Germain wonderkid Nuno Mendes has the third-highest potential, Alejandro Balde is fourth and Tyrick Mitchell is a surprising fifth.

Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato is sixth, while Theo Hernandez is the only other left-back with higher SciSkill potential than Kerkez.

Chilwell is an extremely talented left-back, especially in the final third, but many Chelsea fans have expressed their dissatisfaction regarding his ability in build-up and would like their club to sign a new long-term option in that position.

Kerkez fits that description and would be an excellent addition for the Blues, especially given he aligns perfectly with their new transfer strategy of signing the best young talents in the world.