Tiemoue Bakayoko's impending £35.1million transfer to Chelsea is a waste considering Antonio Conte has already got Nathaniel Chalobah at his disposal, according to Ray Wilkins.
Standard Sport understands that Chelsea hope to complete the deal for Monaco midfielder Bakayoko next week, with a deal agreed in principle for a player who has been Antonio Conte's first choice target for the role for months.
Chalobah opened up this week about the difficulties of bridging the gap between Chelsea's youth set-up and the first team, having risen through the ranks at Stamford Bridge and captained the 2012 FA Youth Cup-winning side.
The 22-year-old embarked on a series of loan spells which included Watford, Burnley and Napoli, but despite earning a Premier League winners' medal last season, Chalobah still looks a step away from regular first-team football if Bakayoko makes his expected move.
Former Chelsea midfielder and assistant manager Wilkins believes that Conte should consider handing Chalobah the opportunity to stake a claim for starts rather than making a big-money move for a player of the same age and position.
He told talkSPORT: "I was really disappointed to read they are looking at Bakayoko from Monaco.
"He is 22, French and doesn't get near the national side, but it was quoted Chelsea might be paying £32m.
"Well, in Nathaniel they have a footballer who can play exactly the same but just needs an opportunity."
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Chalobah has impressed for England at the European Under-21 Championships in Poland, and Wilkins suggests that the midfielder has shown enough talent to warrant Conte's faith.
"You’ve seen already in the two games he’s played he looks a class act in and among people of his own age," he added.
"Playing with the top quality players they have at Chelsea, he can only improve week to week."
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Chalobah said of his desire to mark a mark in west London: "From [N'Golo] Kante, his work rate and defensive quality – he just got better on the ball as the season went on - [Nemanja] Matic, for his composure and passing, and Cesc’s passing and ability to pick up passes.
"It’s a very high standard at Chelsea, the club has an amazing academy and produces really top players. It’s just there’s that barrier of getting in there – and then staying in there."