Thiaw’s Rise and Chelsea’s Transfer Aspirations

omidbasir- Malick Thiaw made a notable £5.8 million (€5 million) transfer to AC Milan from Schalke in 2022. Since joining the Serie A club, he has become a regular starter, making 85 appearances over three years and winning the Supercoppa Italiana in the 2024-25 season. His consistent performances have attracted interest from top clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but Newcastle United ultimately secured his services.

After a few months in England, Thiaw has quickly become an essential player under manager Eddie Howe, and many view him as a potential long-term defensive cornerstone for the team. Former professional player Shaun Wright-Phillips noted that convincing Newcastle to part with Thiaw would be “almost impossible” due to his pivotal role and lengthy contract, yet he believes Chelsea should still pursue him.

In an interview with Best Betting Sites, Wright-Phillips stated, “If I could have anyone right now, it would be Malick Thiaw from Newcastle. Despite having joined from Milan just this summer, he has not had a bad game yet. He excels at reading the game and positions himself perfectly for low crosses. Since his arrival, he has become a fundamental part of Eddie Howe’s lineup. Although it might seem premature for Chelsea to target him, his skills align perfectly with what their defense requires.”

Wright-Phillips also mentioned another intriguing potential target: Ben White. The 28-year-old has had limited playing time at Arsenal this season, with only one Premier League appearance, as he lost his starting position to Jurrien Timber at right-back. Since his £50 million ($66.23 million) transfer from Brighton in 2021, White has been a crucial player for Arsenal, but injuries and tough competition have relegated him to the sidelines.

Wright-Phillips noted that a fresh start for White could be on the horizon: “I could see Ben White making a move to Chelsea next summer. It’s feasible and makes sense. I feel for him; he was performing exceptionally before his injury. However, he has now lost his place to Timber, who is among the best right-backs in the Premier League. It will take something extraordinary for him to reclaim that spot.”

However, a January transfer seems unlikely. With Arsenal competing for the Premier League title and advancing in the Champions League, manager Mikel Arteta is not inclined to weaken his squad mid-season. Wright-Phillips remarked, “Arsenal would be reluctant to sell him in the winter window because squad depth is one of their key strengths. If Timber were to get injured, White would be the ideal replacement. Selling him would force Arsenal to re-enter the market, which is not something they would want to do while challenging for the title and possibly the Champions League.”

As Chelsea prepares for a crucial top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal this Sunday at Stamford Bridge, they are looking to build on their recent momentum. Following an impressive 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League, Chelsea aims to capitalize on the opportunity to narrow the gap with Arsenal, currently six points ahead.