What Chelsea fans can expect from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

30 Jun 2024 14:35 BST
4 min read

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Chelsea, Leicester, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is now on the verge of joining Chelsea after the Blues reached an agreement to sign the 25-year-old.

Dewsbury-Hall was a pivotal player for Enzo Maresca’s title-winning side at the King Power Stadium last season and he will follow the Italian to Stamford Bridge after Chelsea saw a €35.4 million (£30m) accepted by the Foxes.

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The Athletic’s David Ornstein has confirmed that Chelsea have agreed a deal with Leicester, and Dewsbury-Hall is expected to undergo his medical today (30 June).

The Englishman will join a midfield crop that includes Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, while his arrival could signal the end of Conor Gallagher’s career with the Blues.

With Dewsbury-Hall joining the west London club, what can Chelsea fans expect from their latest big-money signing?

What Chelsea fans can expect from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Maresca has evidently played a key role in Chelsea’s pursuit of Dewsbury-Hall, with the new Blues boss eager to sign one of his former Leicester stars.

Last season, Dewsbury-Hall was integral to the Foxes’ success as he racked up 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 Championship appearances.

The Englishman played as a left-sided number eight at the King Power Stadium and with Maresca’s inverted full-back system, he was given full attacking licence at the top of a midfield box.

His eye for a pass in the final third was a key reason why Leicester were able to assert themselves as the dominant force in the second tier, while his goalscoring instincts and immaculate finishing were also vital.

© IMAGO - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Leicester

As a result, Dewsbury-Hall is a player that Chelsea don’t really have in their ranks at current.

Gallagher and Carney Chukwuemeka are the most obvious comparisons to Dewsbury-Hall, as the Leicester man is a player who combines huge defensive effort with technical proficiency and goalscoring prowess.

However, the fact he is left-footed is key considering Chelsea don’t have a natural central midfielder who is stronger on that side.

Furthermore, he has vital experience in English football and given Chelsea could play up to 80 matches next season - due to the 2025 Club World Cup - the Blues have deemed it necessary to add another central midfielder to their ranks.

Dewsbury-Hall is unlikely to become a first-choice midfielder at Chelsea, given he will face competition from the aforementioned Fernandez, Caicedo and Lavia in a deeper position, and Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku in a more advanced role, but he could be a key squad player.

STATS

44

Games
12

Goals
14

Assists

Given he knows Maresca’s style of play like the back of his hand, Dewsbury-Hall may well prove to be a shrewd acquisition from Chelsea, although it’s easy to see why fans may be slightly sceptical given the riches already at their disposal.

All in all, Chelsea fans can expect a player who will provide great value in the final-third, while also maintaining a high technical level and a tactical understanding of Maresca’s system.

At less than €40m, Dewsbury-Hall is a smart signing, but he will not elevate the level of Chelsea’s first-choice starting XI.

Read more about: Premier League, Chelsea, Leicester, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall