(4-2-3-1) New Manchester United formation with Ben chiwell as the board set to strengthen the left back position by January
Chelsea have reportedly offered Ben Chilwell to Manchester United as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce their wage bill. Chilwell, who has represented England and joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2020, has made over 100 appearances for the club despite dealing with several injuries during his four-year tenure in West London. In the latter part of the 2022-23 season, the 27-year-old defender extended his contract with Chelsea, with his current deal set to run until the summer of 2027.
However, despite signing this long-term contract, Chilwell has found his position in the squad uncertain, largely due to changes in management. Under the leadership of current Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, Chilwell has seen his playing time diminish. Maresca has been upfront about Chilwell’s standing in the team, noting that the left-back struggled to secure playing time in pre-season. The manager has hinted that without a move, Chilwell may continue to find it difficult to get minutes on the pitch.
One potential solution being considered is a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United. This option has emerged in part due to United’s current situation, as they are without their two main left-backs, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, who are sidelined with injuries. According to reports from talkSPORT, Chelsea have approached United with the offer of signing Chilwell, and the London club is unlikely to block such a transfer should United express serious interest.
Chilwell’s absence from Chelsea’s squad during their recent match against Manchester City—where Marc Cucurella started in the left-back position—only reinforces the speculation around his possible departure. In the build-up to Chelsea’s Premier League opener, Maresca offered candid insights into the situation. He praised Chilwell’s attitude and effort in training but admitted the player has struggled to adapt to the tactical needs of the current team. Maresca acknowledged that it can be tough for both the player and the coach when a talented footballer is not getting regular game time. He suggested that in some cases, it might be better for a player to seek opportunities elsewhere to ensure they are able to play more frequently.
The Chelsea manager remained non-committal about Chilwell’s future, suggesting that a transfer could be on the cards but that no final decision had been made, with the transfer window still open. In addition to Chilwell, Maresca has also left other high-profile players out of his squad for recent fixtures. Notably, Raheem Sterling was absent from Chelsea’s line-up in their Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Servette. Sterling, who previously played for Manchester City, has seen his role at Chelsea diminish, with summer signing Pedro Neto even taking his squad number.
When questioned about Sterling’s absence, Maresca stated that it wasn’t a reflection of Sterling’s ability as a player but rather a matter of tactical preference. The coach indicated that he preferred different types of wingers for his system, which explained Sterling’s omission from the team sheet, alongside Chilwell.
As the transfer window nears its close, it remains to be seen whether Manchester United will act on Chelsea’s offer for Chilwell. While the player’s talent is undeniable, his future in West London seems increasingly uncertain under Maresca’s management. If a move to Old Trafford materializes, it could provide Chilwell with the opportunity for regular playing time, something that has become elusive for him at Chelsea.
