Chelsea’s new head coach, Enzo Maresca, has hinted that defender Ben Chilwell might be better off leaving the club in search of more playing time. With a crowded squad and stiff competition for positions, Chilwell has found himself struggling to secure consistent minutes.
Chilwell’s contract with Chelsea runs until 2027, but his recent struggles have led to speculation about his future. The 27-year-old England international joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2020 and played a crucial role in their Champions League triumph in 2021. However, he has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of Marc Cucurella in 2022. Last season, Chilwell was further hampered by injuries, limiting his appearances to 21 across all competitions.
Maresca acknowledged Chilwell’s quality but highlighted the challenges he faces at Chelsea. “Chilly (Chilwell) has not been training for the last few days because he has been ill,” Maresca told reporters. “It’s quite clear, I love the way he is but the problem is that he struggles with us a little bit to find his best 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.” He added, “When they train every day and do not get any minutes, it is not good for them or for me, (as) I need to make a decision. It is probably better to leave and get minutes (elsewhere). The transfer window is open so we’ll see what happens.”
