Chelsea ‘interested’ in Leicester City defender Ben Nelson

CHELSEA are interested in signing Leicester City centre half Ben Nelson, according to reports.

The 21-year-old defender spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Oxford United, where he made a huge impression with his composure on the ball and assured defending.

That was despite suffering a quad injury which would ultimately rule him out of action for more than four months, with Nelson making 17 Sky Bet Championship appearances for the U’s.

He scored once – the opening goal in the 2-0 victory at home to Sunderland, a result which ensured United’s Championship safety.

READ ALSO: United announce retained list as Wembley heroes released

According to The Telegraph this evening, Chelsea are interested in signing Nelson, with ‘a number of Premier League clubs’ also tracking the centre back.

The Telegraph states that Chelsea considered making a move for Nelson during the January transfer window.

Blues head coach Enzo Maresca gave Nelson his Foxes first team debut during the 2023/24 campaign, and the defender played nine times for the Foxes during that season.

U’s head coach Gary Rowett said of Nelson at the end of April: “I’d love to turn round and say we might be able to have a chance of keeping him, but I think the reality is he’s going to go to a bigger club.

“He’s probably going to end up playing for Leicester’s team if he’s not playing for a Premier League team next season. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

Oxford United urged to sign Luton Town star this summer

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Oxford United are heading into the summer transfer window off the back of a successful first season back in the Championship.

The U’s were able to complete their main objective for their first season back in the second tier since 1998/99 – survival.

After parting company with previous manager Des Buckingham in mid-December, Gary Rowett was tasked with leading the club to safety, and a strong end to the campaign enabled them to record a 17th-placed finish.

As such, should Oxford get their recruitment right this summer, they could give themselves an excellent chance of firmly establishing themselves as a Championship club next term.

“Good fit” – Oxford United told to move for Luton Town star Carlton Morris

We asked our Oxford United fan pundit, Luke Nigel: ‘What is one realistic signing you’d love Oxford to make this summer and why?’

Luke said: “One realistic target I would like to see Oxford United go after this summer is Carlton Morris.

“He’s recently been relegated with Luton Town; the 29-year-old will surely be looking for another Championship club.

“He got 10 goal contributions last season in 41 league matches, but comes with a wealth of experience all the way from the Premier League, down to League Two, even having a previous loan stint at Oxford United where he featured 10 times.

“The reason I think this one would be a good fit for Oxford is Gary Rowett has already said in January that we were lacking a target man-style striker.

“Tom Bradshaw has come in and not added what we thought he would add. Meanwhile, Mark Harris looks set to be handed a new contract, but is a much more hardworking, running in-behind-type striker.

“I think Carlton Morris’ experience and style of play is something that I think would definitely benefit Oxford United going into next season.”

Oxford United could face stiff competition for Carlton Morris this summer if they want his signature

Despite enduring his worst goalscoring season as a Luton Town player this past campaign, Morris still found the back of the net eight times in the Championship.

The former England youth international has proven himself to be a quality marksman at second tier level, having bagged 20 goals in Luton’s promotion-winning 2022/23 season.

He’s even shown he can perform on English football’s biggest stage, having netted 11 times in 38 Premier League appearances in 2023/24.

Therefore, with him still being very much in the prime of his career at 29, Morris looks fairly certain to call time on his Hatters career this summer, as he is surely one who won’t harbour much interest in playing third tier football.

However, given his goalscoring accolades and proven record in the Championship, Oxford would surely face stiff competition for his signature from clubs across the division.

As such, this has the feeling of being a deal that could be very challenging for United to pull off, but if they did, it could hand them a prolific centre-forward to really help secure their second tier status next season.