Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes has sparked up talk over a possible move to the Premier League, stating that he wishes to play
in England.
The 26-year old center-back, who was a member of Germany's World Cup winning squad last summer, has hinted that he has his eyes set on one destination, should his time at Schalke come to a close.
"If I were to imagine moving abroad to experience life in an foreign country, England would be my destination" Howedes told Bild, as cited by Jamie Sanderson of Metro.
The Schalke captain added: "I owe Schalke a lot, I have had a great experience during my time here."
While it has been rumoured that both Manchester United and Arsenal have been interested in acquiring Howedes, Sanderson believes that Chelsea are in poll position to secure his signature.
Valued at £17 million, Howedes is a player who has proved his worth during his career with the Gelsenkirchen outfit. While he is a dominant player when deployed as a center-back, the main consideration will be whether Chelsea need a player of Howedes caliber.
John Terry has been the standout figure in Chelsea's defense during Jose Mourinho's second tenure as Chelsea manager. The former England International has leadership skills that are hard to replicate, and has made it clear that he wishes to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Gary Cahill is still regarded as a key player for the Blues, despite a fair few questionable performances that have allowed 20-year old Kurt Zouma to contest for second starting spot at center-back.
The French Under-21 international has put in a string of admirable performances, maintaining consistency during key fixtures for the Blues. The arrival of Howedes could impact greatly on Zouma's development.
Should Chelsea invest in Howedes in the summer it would raise questions, considering that Mourinho has one of the best defenses in the Premier League.
While it wouldn't be beyond the club to sign such a player, Howedes could likely see more bench time than starting minutes.
The German defender is likely to be the subject of speculation come the summer, yet it is questionable whether Chelsea's interest will formulate into a structured offer. When you consider the options that are currently at the club's disposal, this thought becomes far more unlikely.
