Napoli eye another Chelsea transfer after Antonio Conte raid and Man United success

Ben Chilwell is still expected to leave Chelsea in January despite returning to the first-team squad after being part of Enzo Maresca's 'bomb squad' over the summer

Napoli are eyeing up a January move for Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell. The 28-year-old almost left the Blues over the summer but stayed at Stamford Bridge after failing to find a new club.

He was part of the infamous 'bomb' squad - which included the likes of Raheem Sterling, Romelu Lukaku and Trevoh Chalobah - that were banished from training with the first-team squad by Enzo Maresca. However, after the transfer window closed, Chilwell was reintegrated back into the fold and included in the 25-man squad for Premier League matches this season in a shock U-Turn.

Chilwell made his first appearance of the campaign during the 5-0 win over Barrow in the Carabao Cup last month, playing the entire second-half. The former Leicester left-back hasn't featured for the Blues since and is still expected to find an exit route from west London in January after struggling for game time.

According to The Sun, Napoli are tracking his situation and boss Antonio Conte is believed to be a 'huge fan' of Chilwell. It's added that he could move on loan with an option to sign a long-term deal at the end of the season. Napoli are set to face strong competition for his signature, however, with Fulham, Crystal Palace and Ipswich among the Premier League clubs targeting the England international.

Chilwell is said to be concerned over his lack of minutes and is open to a move. Chelsea are also understood to be keen to allow Chilwell to leave as they try and trim their squad. Chilwell's long-term position at the Blues doesn't look promising with Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella and even Renato Veiga ahead of him in the pecking order.

A move to Napoli could be the perfect solution for Chilwell after seeing the success of Scott McTominay's move to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in the summer. The 27-year-old, who left Manchester United after 22 years at his boyhood club, has scored twice and added one assist in his first five appearances for Napoli. He netted in their 3-1 win over Como before the international break and has settled into life in Naples.

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McTominay followed Chilwell's former Chelsea teammate Billy Gilmour to Napoli after the midfielder made the switch from Brighton, while Romelu Lukaku left the Blues to join Conte's side in the summer. Napoli sit top of the Serie A table after winning five of their first seven matches and are looking strong right now.

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