Ben Chilwell to Liverpool: Leicester City left-back set to sign new contract with Premier League champions

Leicester consider Chilwell's partnership with Demarai Gray to be central to their future vision

Samuel Stevens
Tuesday 26 July 2016 16:29 BST
Comments
Ben Chilwell has been forced to wait for his chance at Leicester City
Ben Chilwell has been forced to wait for his chance at Leicester City (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Leicester City's Ben Chilwell appears set to sign a new contract with the Premier League champions despite being linked with a move to Liverpool.

The 19-year-old, who has a year remaining on his current deal, is considered as one of the most exciting English talents of his generation and has featured in both the pre-season matches against Oxford United and Celtic in the past fortnight.

“He is very close [to signing a new contract] and he will stay with us,” said Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri after the penalty shoot-out success against Celtic on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, was reportedly tipped off about the left-back’s talents last January by former Borussia Dortmund assistant David Wagner, who managed Chilwell during a short loan spell at Huddersfield Town last season.

The Foxes signed Demarai Gray from Birmingham City for £3.75m in part because of the manner in which the left-sided winger linked up with Chilwell on the flank while on duty for England at youth-level.

Leicester consider the Chilwell and Gray partnership to be central to their future vision for the club, highlighted by their slow but steady promotion through the ranks in the past six months.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool and current Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has backed Mahrez to stay at the club despite reports linking the Algerian with a £40m switch to Arsenal.

“He looks happy,” Rodgers said. “If he is playing well and working well, I wouldn’t say there is a need for him to move.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in