Why Milan’s Botman interest is great news for Chelsea

Robin Bairner

• 13 Dec 2021 13:38 CST
• 3 min read

Milan’s interest in Lille centre-back Sven Botman represents a boost for Chelsea and their hopes of forming a consistent defence.

Botman, who was a rock in the Lille rearguard as they surprisingly won Ligue 1 last season, is expected to be sold for around €30 million.

If no deal is conducted in January – and it might not be given the French side’s somewhat surprising progress to the last 16 of the Champions League – then it could certainly be done in the summer.

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Indeed, the young Dutchman is now considered to be Milan’s top choice for the role by Calciomercato.

This is promising news for Chelsea in their hopes of retaining their current talent.

The Blues have numerous players out of contract in the summer. If Cesar Azplicueta and Thiago Silva appear, presently, to be expendable, the younger duo of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are more important.

Rudiger could well leave to Real Madrid while contract talks with Christensen appear to have stalled, increasing the chances of the Denmark international departing.

Milan were ready to take advantage of his delicate contract situation by launching a bid for him, but the Rossoneri have given up hope of landing the Denmark star.

Consequently, this is excellent news for Chelsea, who have been impressed with the performances of the 25-year-old, who came through their youth system.

Milan are eager to land a defender in January because of a long-term injury to stalwart Simon Kjaer and they have clearly given up hope of being able to tempt Chelsea into a sale.

The San Siro club have already robbed the Blues of one of their most promising defenders, having sealed a move for Fikayo Tomori in the summer following a loan deal. The young Englishman’s form in Serie A has been impressive.

Chelsea, though, will not see Christensen follow in Tomori’s footsteps to Milan – at least in January.