- 8 hours ago
What Chelsea fans can expect from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Cameron Smith
- 2 Jul 2024 15:12 BST
- 4 min read
Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has officially joined Chelsea on a five-year deal.
Dewsbury-Hall was a pivotal player for Enzo Maresca’s title-winning side at the King Power Stadium last season and he has followed the Italian to Stamford Bridge after Chelsea saw a reported €35.4 million (£30m) accepted by the Foxes.
The Blues have officially announced Dewsbury-Hall's arrival, with the Englishman becoming the club's fourth summer signing.
READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals
He has joined 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's move now confirmed, what can Chelsea fans expect from their latest signing?
READ MORE: What can Chelsea fans expect of Omari Kellyman?
What Chelsea fans can expect from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Maresca has evidently played a key role in Chelsea’s signing 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.
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 may not 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
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
M, AM (C), DM (L)
Leicester
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
M, AM (C), DM (L)
Leicester
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 an extremely smart signing, especially given the vast number of games Chelsea are set to play next season.
