Enzo Maresca has said it’s probably better Ben Chilwell leaves this summer to get minutes as he doesn’t fit his system.
Chilwell, who arrived from Leicester in a deal worth £50m in 2020 was a key part of the side which won the Champions League in 2021 and thrived in the wing back system under Thomas Tuchel.
However, he’s really struggled with injuries, including an ACL injury in 2022 and spent a large part of last season sidelined with a hamstring issue, and he’s just not been able to get back to anywhere near his best form.
Chilwell free to leave Chelsea
The 27-year-old played just 64 minutes for the Blues across their six pre-season games and was once again an unused substitute in last weekend’s draw against Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge.
If that wasn’t a clear indication that his time at the club could be coming to an end then Maresca’s comments on the matter certainly will be.
The Italian was brutally honest when asked about Chilwell’s situation and said it’s probably better he leaves to go and get minutes.
“Chilly [Chilwell] is with us but he has not been training for the last few days because he has been ill,” he told reporters.
“The reason he did not play versus Inter was because, with Chilly it is quite clear, even though I love the way he is, the problem is, he is struggling a bit to find the right position.
“This morning we had 22 players training and if you ask all of them they will say they want to play against City on Sunday. But that is impossible. When you train every day and do not get any minutes it is not good for them or for me.
“I need to make a decision and probably it is better to leave and go and get minutes. The transfer window is open so we’ll see what happens.”
Chlwell is under contract until 2027 and is reportedly on around £200,000 a week so moving him on could prove difficult, whilst it’s unclear what Chelsea’s valuation is.
The England international was linked with Manchester United earlier in the window, but following Maresca’s latest admission there could be a flurry of activity surrounding him over the last two weeks of the window.
