Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Bashir Humphreys 'in talks over new Chelsea contract'

sportsmole.co.uk, 6 August 2023, 14:49
Chelsea have opened talks with 20-year-old centre-back Bashir Humphreys over a new contract, according to a report.

The England Under-20 international has not yet made his mark at Stamford Bridge since joining from Reading in 2019, making just one competitive appearance in a 4-0 FA Cup loss to Manchester City last season.

Humphreys subsequently spent the second half of the campaign on loan with German second-tier side Paderborn, where he was a regular in the heart of the backline, assisting one goal in 13 matches.

Since returning to Cobham, Humphreys sought to prove his worth to Mauricio Pochettino on Chelsea's pre-season tour of the USA, where he played in all five of the Blues' games.

However, the 6ft 1in defender is due to become a free agent next year, and he is facing unenviable competition from Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile for defensive starts.

Nevertheless, the Evening Standard reports that Pochettino has liked what he has seen from Humphreys, who is now negotiating a new deal with Chelsea.

A loan move for the 2023-24 campaign could follow for the defender should he put pen to paper, and Coventry City - last season's losing Championship playoff finalists - are believed to be possible suitors.

Sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are also involved in the process of clarifying Humphreys's future, and the Blues feel that he is ready for first-team football in England.

While a move to Coventry is a possibility, the report adds that the Englishman will have a plethora of options to choose from following a productive six-month period in Germany.

Humphreys's strong form in the 2. Bundesliga earned him a place in the England squad for this year's Under-20 World Cup, and he started all four games for his nation, who lost to Italy in the last 16.

In addition to Humphreys, Chelsea are also believed to have started renewal talks with 21-year-old winger Ian Maatsen, who was another youngster to make a statement of intent in pre-season.

After helping Burnley achieve promotion back to the Premier League during a loan spell last term, Maatsen scored twice in a 5-0 win over Wrexham and also provided an assist against Newcastle United.

Meanwhile, Humphreys's fellow defender Lewis Hall is thought to be close to a temporary move to Crystal Palace, while midfielder Cesare Casadei is expected to head to Leicester City for the upcoming campaign.

Chelsea won the Premier League Summer Series during their unbeaten pre-season tour, and Pochettino's first top-flight game in charge comes at home to Liverpool on August 13.

Top News

13 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal and Tottenham are both balancing injury-hit squads when they clash for the season's second north London derby this week. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Borussia Dortmund are looking to sign two Chelsea players this month. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Luis Enrique offered a peculiar answer when asked about speculation over the future of Randal Kolo Muani at Paris Saint-Germain. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester United will be fined by the FA for breaching the same rule for a third time this season against Arsenal. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Pep Guardiola didn't hold back when confronted by persistent autograph seekers, delivering a blunt and heated response to them. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Marcus Rashford could be denied a move to Serie A this month by Brexit. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City and Crystal Palace meet for the 24th time in the Premier League when they lock horns at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner could be able to welcome as many as four players back to his starting XI for the trip to Leicester City in the Premier League on Wednesday. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy may name an unchanged Leicester City side when they face Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Wednesday. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Everton and Liverpool's postponed Premier League Merseyside derby has been rescheduled for February 12, which could still pose a potential problem for the Reds. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides competing near the bottom of the Premier League table meet at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday, when Leicester City host Crystal Palace. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Leicester are poised to announce the £3million signing of Parma right-back Woyo Coulibaly, talkSPORT understands. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Enzo Maresca gave the perfect response to an awkward question in his latest Chelsea press conference. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Kyle Walker has told Saudi Pro League bosses he wants to stay in Europe, talkSPORT understands. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers, looking to build on their current five-game unbeaten streak, will host struggling Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium on Wednesday night in the Scottish Premiership. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Battling it out for a last-16 spot in this season's Coupe de France, Brest and Nantes will meet at Stade Francis-Le Ble on Wednesday evening. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fifth-tier underdogs Thaon will aim to continue their fairytale Coupe de France run when they host Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg at the Stade de la Colombiere on Wednesday in the round of 32. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk 2023 Coupe de France winners Toulouse will aim to make it into the next round of the competition when they host second-tier Laval at Toulouse Stadium on Wednesday. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk A place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals will be at stake when second-tier Almeria play host to La Liga's Leganes on Wednesday. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Fantasy Premier League are preparing to introduce a new chip into the game that should benefit players. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa have allegedly agreed a fee to sign Borussia Dortmund attacker Donyell Malen. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmoller has delivered an update on the availability of Manchester City-linked Omar Marmoush ahead of Tuesday's Bundesliga clash with Freiburg. 13 January 2025 talksport.com The Premier League season is a staple part of a football fan's year. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that Joao Felix should expect to remain on the substitutes' bench for Premier League fixtures. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are allegedly open to parting ways with Tyrell Malacia during the January transfer window. 13 January 2025 talksport.com A revamping of the Welsh League Cup is set to provide a boost to Wrexham's European hopes. 13 January 2025 talksport.com Burnley and Hull have both had bids rejected for Plymouth's FA Cup hero Morgan Whittaker, talkSPORT understands. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa will have Jhon Duran available for selection again when they travel to face Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday. 13 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk David Moyes could be without the majority of his attacking options when he makes his return to the Everton dugout against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday. 13 January 2025 talksport.com The Premier League is back and we are going to be treated to a jam-packed schedule of midweek fixtures.