Confirmed: Right-footed central defender signs new contract with Chelsea 

With a statement on their official website, Premier League giants Chelsea have announced that Alfie Gilchrist has signed a new contract with the club until 2026, with a further one-year option.

Gilchrist has been rewarded with a new deal after forcing his way into the plans of first team coach Mauricio Pochettino.

This season, the 20-year-old has received twenty-six call-ups for first team games comprising seventeen in the Premier League, five in the Carabao Cup and four in the Emirates FA Cup.

Alfie Gilchrist debuted for the senior team against Crystal Palace in December and has since played in eleven additional matches for the first team this season. 

The academy graduate has been described as a a right-footed central defender who can play in a back three or back four and is very competitive with an excellent winning mentality.

He has played nonstop at Chelsea since the age of eleven after he was poached from Queens Park Rangers. 

Before his promotion to the first team, he was captain of the development squad 

Last season, he was nominated for the PL2 Player of the Season award, recognition for his defensive contribution for Chelsea U21s, who secured a third-place finish in the competition.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com