Ray Wilkins questions Chelsea's rumoured Tiemoue Bakayoko interest

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 23 June 2017

Wilkins questions Chelsea's Bakayoko interest

Ray Wilkins is unsure why Chelsea are willing to spend in excess of £30m on AS Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko when they have Nathaniel Chalobah in their squad.

Former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins has admitted that he is "really disappointed" to see the club pursue a move for AS Monaco ace Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The £32m-rated midfielder is reportedly high on Blues boss Antonio Conte's summer wishlist after catching the eye in Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season.

Wilkins is not impressed that Chelsea are seeking a foreign alternative, however, claiming that academy graduate and current reserve Nathaniel Chalobah has the quality required to step up instead.

"I was really disappointed to read they are looking at Bakayoko from Monaco," he told talkSPORT. "He is 23 years of age, French and doesn't get near the national side. But it was quoted Chelsea might be paying £32m.

"Well, in Nathaniel they have got a footballer that can play exactly the same but just needs an opportunity to get in there and play.

"You have seen already in the two games he has played up to now [at the European Championship] he looks a class act in and amongst people of his own age. Playing with the top quality players that they have at Chelsea, he can only improve week to week."

Bakayoko, who is also reportedly on Manchester United's radar, has been capped once at international level by France.