Chelsea ‘send scouts to watch English youngster’ who quit Wayne Rooney’s Derby to try his hand at European minnows

CHELSEA are being linked to Genk’s English defender Archie Brown – with Premier League rivals plus Juventus and AC Milan also hovering.

The Brummie, 21, has rebuilt his career on the continent after quitting Wayne Rooney‘s Derby in 2021 to seek first-team football.

Brummie Archie Brown could be returning to England from BelgiumRex

Now Chelsea have reportedly joined the £15million-rated star’s list of admirers – alongside West Ham, Fulham and Brentford.

Championship promotion hunters Leeds, as well as French sides Lyon and Nice, have also been mentioned.

HITC say Mauricio Pochettino‘s Blues have been “scouting” Brown, including a 4-2 Belgium top-flight defeat at Standard Liege last weekend.

And his rise over the past three years has been as unusual as it is incredible.

He rejected a new Rams’ contract in an attempt to speed up his progress three years ago – the same summer that Rooney resigned as manager.

Brown had been a regular for Derby‘s Under 23 side after switching to left-back and central defence following his days as a left-winger for the U-18s.

He is thought to have then turned down Championship clubs in favour of FC Lausanne-Sport.

Brown’s first season there brought just four senior appearances and relegation from the Swiss Super League.

But he shone in the second tier, helping Lausanne to an instant promotion back to the elite.

And Brown’s eye-catching displays sparked a move to Gent last August on a four-year contract.

Now Chelsea’s desire for left-back cover could boost his chances of a move to Stamford Bridge.

Blues’ boss Pochettino is understood to want cover for Ben Chilwell – not least because three other players in that position are tipped for the exit door, led by £62m flop Marc Cucurella.

Newcastle could turn Lewis Hall’s loan deal into a permanent move and Ian Maatsen might be sold when his temporary spell at Borussia Dortmund ends.