Why Chelsea and West Ham are going head-to-head for English left-back sensation.

Gent left back. Archie Brown is apparently on Chelsea and West Ham’s shopping lists, with the 21-year-old potentially returning to England.

Brown progressed through Derby’s development academy, where he played under Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, and met former Chelsea youth players Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount while on loan at the club.

The versatile 6ft5in talent chose to transfer abroad in 2021 rather than renew his contract at Derby, and he ended up at Swiss Super League club Lausanne-Sport.

The Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned club was relegated, but Brown was at his best as they won their way back into the top division.

READ MORE: Ratcliffe lines up ex-Chelsea boss who is expected to raid previous club for FOUR stars.

He scored five goals and provided four assists in their promotion-winning season before joining Gent on a four-year contract during the summer transfer window.

The sum for Brown was reported to be around €4 million at the time, and the Jupiler Pro League club will gain far more than that if and when he leaves.

According to the Guardian, the price is around €15 million, with London rivals Chelsea and West Ham in the running.

Chelsea are hunting for a new left-back amid uncertainty.
Although Ben Chilwell is Chelsea’s first-choice left defender, Marc Cucurella’s future is uncertain, while on-loan duo Ian Maatsen, now with Borussia Dortmund, and Lewis Hall, at Newcastle, are both projected to

Meanwhile, West Ham might use a backup for Italy international Emerson Palmeiri, and Brown is a good fit.

The Hammers are in for a busy summer, with much conjecture surrounding the future of midfield star Lucas Paqueta.

Brown was trained as a left winger in Derby and also played centre back, but he earned his name as a left defender with Gent.

According to the source, Brown is enthusiastic about making the next England under-21 squad when details are published.

Archie Brown’s breakthrough season in Belgium.
He has appeared 19 times for Gent in the Belgian top flight this season, gaining plaudits for his performances, and has also represented his club in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Juventus, AC Milan, Nice, and Lyon have also expressed interest.