Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah ‘in talks to join Watford in £5m deal’
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Watford are in talks to sign Nathaniel Chalobah after the midfielder asked for assurances of game-time before renewing his Chelsea contract, according to reports.
Chalobah, 22, signed his first professional contract with Chelsea back in 2012 but that is set to expire at the end of next season.
The reigning Premier League champions are expected to sign midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, also 22, from Monaco and the £35 million fee they will reportedly pay suggests his arrival will greatly reduce Chalobah’s chances of being considered for Antonio Conte’s starting line-up next term.
Watford are currently frontrunners to sign the Chelsea youth product for a £5m fee, according to the Evening Standard.
The London regional also explains Chelsea will seek to include a buy-back clause in Chalobah’s Watford contract. They had been ready to offer him a five-year deal to remain at Stamford Bridge, but the England u21s midfielder requested assurances over regular playing time before committing.
Where would Nathaniel Chalobah fit in at Watford?
Chalobah has previously played for the Hornets in the Championship on a loan deal back in 2012/13, where he secured 38 appearances and helped with five goals during the campaign. Although Watford would eventually lose 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the playoff final, the promising midfielder clearly left an impression during his time at Vicarage Road.
With Tom Cleverley returning on a permanent basis and the signing of Derby midfielder Will Hughes, the Hornets are heavily strengthening their midfield department.
Chalobah may be able to offer Watford some defensive stability in the center of the pitch, having won five of six contested headers and attempted 12 tackles in his 190 minutes of Premier League playing time last season. Watford conceded 1.79 goals per game last season on average, and new manager Marco Silva will want to improve on this in the 2017/18 campaign.
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He also has experience operating with Hughes as the two played as a midfield duo during England’s Euros u21s campaign this summer, in which they reached the semi-final. The prospect of a regular Premier League partnership between two of England’s most exciting young midfield talents bodes well for Aidy Boothroyd’s team, if not the future of the senior Three Lions side.
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