Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca sends brutal transfer message to Ben Chilwell as he highlights defender’s ‘struggles’
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has made it clear that defender Ben Chilwell might be on his way out of the club before the transfer window closes later this month. Chilwell, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2020 for a significant fee of around £50 million ($64.7 million), has shown his capabilities as a solid player. However, his recent history has been plagued by injuries, keeping him sidelined for extended periods.
As it stands, Chilwell still has three years left on his contract with Chelsea, but his future at the club seems uncertain. Maresca has been forthright in expressing that Chilwell is currently not a priority in his plans. The left-back has barely featured in Chelsea’s pre-season, playing just over an hour of football, and was left on the bench during their 1-1 draw with Inter Milan last weekend.
In a pre-match press conference before Chelsea’s upcoming game against Manchester City, Maresca addressed Chilwell’s situation. He mentioned that Chilwell had not been training for a few days due to illness, but he also highlighted a deeper issue: Chilwell’s struggle to find his place in the team’s current setup. Despite Maresca’s admiration for Chilwell as a player, he acknowledged that the defender might be better off seeking regular playing time elsewhere.
Maresca explained that with 22 players in training, it’s impossible for everyone to feature in matches, and when a player like Chilwell isn’t getting minutes on the pitch, it becomes problematic for both the player and the coach. He hinted that a move away from the club could be the best option for Chilwell, especially with the transfer window still open.
Given the situation, it’s unlikely that Chilwell will be part of Chelsea’s squad for their match against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. With just under two weeks left before the transfer window closes on August 30, Chilwell faces a crucial decision: to find a new club, either on a permanent basis or on loan, in order to secure more playing time and continue his career. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be looking to recoup as much of their initial investment as possible if they do part ways with the England international.
