Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has signaled that the future of defender Ben Chilwell at the club may be coming to an end, as the summer transfer window nears its closure. Chilwell, who made his move to Stamford Bridge from Leicester City in 2020 for a hefty sum of around £50 million ($64.7 million), has certainly proven his worth as a reliable left-back when fit. However, his time at Chelsea has been marred by a series of injuries, leading to prolonged absences that have hampered his ability to establish himself as a consistent starter.
Despite having three years remaining on his current contract, Chilwell’s future with Chelsea is now shrouded in doubt. Maresca has been candid in stating that the left-back is not a central figure in his plans moving forward. This sentiment has been reflected in Chilwell’s limited involvement during Chelsea’s pre-season campaign, where he has managed just over an hour of game time. Most notably, he was an unused substitute during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Inter Milan last weekend, further fueling speculation about his diminishing role at the club.
In the lead-up to Chelsea’s upcoming clash with Manchester City, Maresca addressed the issue surrounding Chilwell’s lack of playing time during a pre-match press conference. While he attributed Chilwell’s absence from recent training sessions to illness, he also pointed to a more profound concern: Chilwell’s difficulty in adapting to the team’s current tactical approach. Despite expressing his respect for Chilwell’s abilities, Maresca acknowledged that the defender may need to seek opportunities elsewhere if he hopes to secure regular minutes on the pitch.
Maresca elaborated on the challenges of managing a squad of 22 players, noting that it’s unrealistic for all of them to feature regularly in matches. When a player like Chilwell finds himself on the periphery, it creates a dilemma for both the player and the coaching staff. In light of this, Maresca hinted that a transfer could be in the best interest of both parties, especially with the transfer window still open, allowing Chilwell the chance to reignite his career at another club.
As a result of these developments, it seems increasingly unlikely that Chilwell will be part of Chelsea’s squad for their highly anticipated match against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. With less than two weeks remaining before the transfer window closes on August 30, Chilwell faces a pivotal moment in his career. He must decide whether to pursue a permanent move or a loan deal to secure the playing time he desperately needs. Meanwhile, Chelsea will be keen to recover as much of their initial investment as possible if they decide to part ways with the England international. The next few days will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Chilwell’s career and Chelsea’s plans for the season ahead.