West Ham United could be set to sign a Chelsea defender according to reliable insider ExWHUemployee.
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Speaking on the latest West Ham Way podcast, ExWHUemployee claims West Ham have taken 19-year-old Chelsea defender Pierre Ekwah Elimby on trial with a view to signing him.
The French youth international was signed from Nantes by the Blues.
West Ham could sign Chelsea defender Elimby claims insider ExWHUemployee
But he has been rarely used in Chelsea’s development side and now West Ham could sign him after bringing the left-sided centre back across London for a closer look.
“Next week we’re going to be taking on trial someone from Chelsea’s Under 19s. He’s a French player, defender, and he’s called Pierre Ekwah Elimby,” ExWHUemployee said on The West Ham Way podcast (April 25th).
“He’s going to be on trial from Chelsea…
“It shows that we’re trying to pick up some young bargains from elsewhere to improve the academy.
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“The academy has been quite underachieving this year I would say. So it looks like we could do with some of these young players coming in.”
Taking players from Chelsea’s youth team has worked out well for West Ham in the recent past.
Declan Rice was released by the Blues at 14 and came to West Ham where he has emerged as the club’s best player for decades.
Chelsea’s own website provides a promising assessment of Elimby.
French youth international fits Moyes recruitment policy
The site says the West Ham target can play in either a back three or back four.
The starlet is described as quick and athletic. And he is a player Chelsea say enjoys coming out of defence with the ball.
Elimby is also said to have an excellent range of passing.
All in all Elimby fits Moyes’s recruitment policy of signing young, athletic, talented players hungry to prove themselves.
It comes after reports that West Ham are also taking Portsmouth duo Charlie Bell and Harvey Rew on trial with a view to signing them – read the full story here.
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