Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing Brighton central defender Ben White, who is currently on loan at Championship side Leeds United.
The 22-year-old Englishman was a part of the Southampton youth academy before joining Brighton after being released by the Saints.
As per The Sun, Chelsea could make a bid of £25 million to sign the highly-rated defender. Brighton wanted to keep White at Leeds until the end of the season to further his development, but they could change their mind if a bid of £25 million is placed.
The report states that Chelsea could promote White into first-team action straight-away if they can sign him. The Blues are allowed to sign players in January after their transfer ban that was imposed by FIFA was lifted.
White has been an integral part of the Leeds defence that has conceded just 13 goals in 22 games this season. The central defender has started 21 of 22 league games this season, and has impressed for the Whites.
Is Ben White a good option for Chelsea?
Ben White has been a key player for Leeds United in the Championship, who are currently second in the league, two points behind leaders West Bromwich Albion. The 22-year-old defender, who is on a season-long loan, has shown great tenacity and composure at the back.
The central defender is a good passer of the ball, which allows him to flourish under Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play.
White has averaged 58.8 passes per game, while averaging three long balls per game as well. He is a clean tackler of the ball as well, averaging 1.8 tackles per game in the Championship, and making 2.5 interceptions per game on average. His quickness and good reading of the game from the back allows him to make key interceptions and tackles.
The Englishman could be a good option at the back for Lampard. Chelsea have looked exciting in attack, but have been woeful in defence, conceding 25 goals in 17 games.
The likes of Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen, and Fikayo Tomori have blown hot and cold this season, while the Blues have missed Antonio Rudiger, who has missed a majority of the season due to injury.
White has the potential to be a top centre back, but he will need time to bed into the Chelsea team as well as the Premier League.
He has played only in the lower leagues and has yet to make a Premier League game, which makes it even more important to give him time to develop. He has what it takes to be a good Premier League centre-back, but he will have to do it in his own time.
