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Chelsea are reportedly set to decide on the future of outcast left-back Ben Chilwell after failing to sell him in the summer transfer window. The former Leicester City man has made just one appearance for the Blues this season, having fallen out of favor at Stamford Bridge.
Chilwell was named as Chelsea's vice-captain by manager Mauricio Pochettino at the start of the 2023-24 season, but injuries disrupted his campaign. The 27-year-old made just 13 starts across all competitions, and a total of 21 appearances, as he lost his place in the squad.
Enzo Maresca replaced Pochettino at the helm of the club's affairs in the summer and made it clear that he would not count on Chilwell. The defender was asked to train away from the rest of the first team after their pre-season tour of the USA. However, he could not find a move away from the club in the transfer window.
The Mirror reports that failing to sell Ben Chilwell in the summer has not changed the club's plans for the defender, as they still intend to sell him. Chelsea will entertain offers for the left-back, who is now third in the pecking order in his position behind Marc Cucurella and Renato Veiga.
Chilwell was linked with a move to Manchester United, and a couple of Turkish clubs also indicated their interest in him, but no move came to fruition. The defender re-joined first-team training after the window closed.
Chilwell came on as a second-half substitute for the Blues in the Carabao Cup against Barrow but has not made any of the league squads. He was also left off the list for the UEFA Europa Conference League league phase, indicating that he will not feature in the competition.
What Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said regarding Chilwell
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has spoken about his decision regarding English left-back Ben Chilwell this summer. The Italian manager handed him his first appearance of the campaign when the Blues walloped third-tier Barrow 5-0 in the Carabao Cup last week.
Speaking ahead of the 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on September 28, Maresca pointed out that Chilwell remains in his squad, at the moment. He revealed that he intends to give him minutes on the pitch if the need arises.
He said via Football Transfers:
“In the moment we need him [Chilwell], for sure, why not? I will say again, at the moment he is with us, he is one of the Chelsea players and one of our players. If we need to, we will give him chances and minutes."
Ben Chilwell played 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge in a familiar attacking left-back role. The suitability of the Englishman to play a similar role to Marc Cucurella as an inverted left-back has been questioned. However, he may be deployed as another attacking option from left-back.
