Chelsea sent scouts to watch KAA Gent’s versatile defender Archie Brown as they eye a move for the English prospect in the summer.
According to HITC, Chelsea could make an approach for Archie Brown in the summer after sending scouts to watch the 21-year-old defender. The KAA Gent star is a versatile presence in the backline and has the attention of several other English clubs apart from the Blues.
Chelsea scout Archie Brown
Archie Brown came through the Derby County ranks and made a mark at Belgian side KAA Gent. A return to England may not be far off the mark, as several clubs are already showing an interest in the 21-year-old defender.
Brown started his career as a winger, although now he has successfully been converted into a defender, preferring to play in a left-back role. He can also play as a wide attacker/midfielder if needed while seamlessly slotting in both centre-back roles, making him a versatile presence at the back.
Chelsea have been interested alongside West Ham, while other sides like Leeds United and Fulham are also keen. The Blues could look to take the march on the 21-year-old defender after sending scouts to watch him at the weekend, where KAA Gent lost out to Standard Liege, as Brown played in a left midfield role.
At Chelsea, a need for a new versatile left-sided player could emerge in the summer should they succeed in conducting sales of some of their current stars. Brown certainly will fit in as a viable replacement for at least two of those potential departures, while the Blues could add a solid, young left-back as a deputy to Ben Chilwell.
Brown could replace Cucurella, Maatsen
Brown’s profile is very similar to Ian Maatsen’s, who could depart Chelsea as the club looks to sell some of its homegrown stars. Replacing him with another young talent would make business sense for the present and future. However, there’s also a chance for the KAA Gent star to replace Barcelona-linked Marc Cucurella.
Cucurella has not been up to the mark since making his big move to Chelsea in the summer of 2022. The Blues tried to offload him to Manchester United last summer and might open their doors to a complete sale in the summer and then replace him with a player of Brown’s quality.
