According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea youngster Nathan Baxter has attracted considerable attention from a slew of lower league clubs.
The 21-year-old, who is highly rated at the club, is being pursued by Championship sides Birmingham City and Derby County. League One side Sunderland are also in the fray seeking to loan the young shot-stopper next season.
Baxter came through the ranks at Chelsea whom he joined at the age of eight. He was a part of the club’s youth team that won the FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League in 2016.
He has so far enjoyed five loan spells, most of them in the lower leagues. Baxter made 13 appearances for Ross County in the Scottish Premiership last season. A promising start was cut short by a shoulder injury in February.
Chelsea are keen for him to gain more experience in the Championship or League One. With interest in him high, they might get the chance to do just that.
Goalkeepers have been a source of frustration for Lampard since he took over last summer. Kepa Arrizabalaga has been severely undependable, casting a cloud over his future at the club.
Although Willy Caballero has stepped in for the Spaniard, Chelsea will need someone better if they are serious about challenging for the top.
Baxter at this point in time had not shown enough to suggest he can take the reins for the first team. He will have to ensure that he makes the most of his loan spell next summer.
But for now, the road ahead for the youngster is clear. What he decides to do with it remains to be seen.
Chelsea have been linked with a move for Kasper Schmeichel.
The Dane is not a long-term option at 33. However, if Baxter impresses, he might just be the right man to hold the fort until the youngster is ready to take over.
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