Transfer News: Chelsea linked with African midfielder playing in Italy

AC Milan star Ismael Bennacer attracting interest from Chelsea after recent interest from Arsenal

Chelsea are interested in signing AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer, according to Calciomercatoweb (h/t football.london). The 24-year-old was linked with a move to Arsenal in the recent summer transfer window.

Sportsmediaset via football.london also claim that Liverpool are another club in the Premier League keeping tabs on Bennacer. The Algerian has established himself as an important player in the last couple of seasons.

Bennacer previously played for the Gunners. The 24-year-old mostly played for the North London side’s reserve team. In October 2015, the midfielder made his solitary appearance for Arsenal in a 3-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

Having joined Milan from Empoli in the summer of 2019, Bennacer has mostly been deployed in the number six position. In the previous campaign, the Italian giants saw success as they won the Scudetto after an 11-year gap.

The Algerian midfielder was pivotal in Milan’s success last season. Bennacer made 40 appearances in all competitions for Stefano Pioli’s team, scoring two goals and providing an assist.

In the 2022/23 campaign, the 24-year-old has once again been key for Milan. The Algerian has played a part in every game the Serie A champions have competed in.

Chelsea are currently seemingly struggling for midfielders. Players like N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic have been sidelined on occasions over the years. Without the duo, fans feel the engine room looks shaky.

The 2018 World Cup winner is an essential part of the starting XI for the Blues. Without the French national, there seems to be no other player in the middle of the park capable of providing defensive cover when needed.

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Fans who have seen Bennacer play regularly know he is a proper holding midfielder capable of going in for tackles. And Chelsea are, at the moment, evidently in need of someone to provide support to the backline in the absence of Kante.