Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on the progress of Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Max Kilman, with a summer swoop potentially in the sights.
According to talkSPORT, Chelsea have expressed interest in Max Kilman. Their scouts have been following the progress of the 24-year-old Wolves centre-back closely in recent weeks, with the reigning European giants now mulling over a summer move. Kilman is believed to be a boyhood Chelsea fan and will presumably be delighted to join the Blues next season.
A native of London, Kilman has been a part of the Wolves setup since 2018, when he joined on a free transfer. After initially starting out with the reserve side, the defender made his Premier League breakthrough during the 2020/21 campaign, racking up a total of 18 league appearances.
This time around, Kilman has become an ever-present figure in Wolves’ backline, building a formidable partnership alongside Conor Coady and Romain Saiss that has helped the Midlands outfit emerge as a dark horse in the race to finish inside the top four.
The 24-year-old has made a solid impression with his imposing presence at the back, coupled with his no-nonsense defensive philosophy, making him a potential target for Chelsea for the summer transfer window.
It goes without saying that the Blues are currently scouring the market for defensive reinforcements ahead of a major overhaul in the summer. They are already braced to lose Antonio Rudiger, amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham. The German is not the only one linked with an exit either, with Andreas Christensen’s contract also expiring at the end of the season.
Even Cesar Azpilicueta could exit Stamford Bridge in the summer, with Barcelona in pole position to wrap up the signing of the experienced Spanish international. Their potential departures could further accentuate the need for defensive reinforcements, with Max Kilman emerging as a potential option.
With 60 competitive appearances for Wolves, the 24-year-old might not be the most experienced defender at Molineux. However, he is certainly the most gifted option and could become an excellent long-term replacement for Rudiger.
In addition to Kilman, Chelsea are also interested in a myriad of other Premier League defenders, including Adam Webster. But the Brighton & Hove Albion stalwart could potentially cost a fortune in the summer. It may potentially force the club to explore cost-effective alternatives, though Kilman himself won’t be available for cheap, with his current contract at Wolves not expiring until 2026.
