Chelsea’s decision regarding the future of Ben Chilwell ahead of the January transfer window has been a hot topic among fans and pundits alike. Despite his senior status under Mauricio Pochettino, the left-back has dropped down the pecking order under successor Enzo Maresca.
During the summer, Chilwell had been banished from the first-team ranks in anticipation of a potential exit from Stamford Bridge. However, the Blues hierarchy were unable to attract a suitable offer for the 27-year-old, leading to his reintegration back into the squad earlier this month.
Although Chilwell is yet to be named in a Premier League squad, he did feature in the 5-0 victory over Barrow in the EFL Cup third round last week. Has Maresca changed his stance on the player’s future?
The major downside for Chilwell at the moment is being left out of the squad for the Europa Conference League, where he could have made six more appearances before the end of the year. Instead, his next outing is likely to come in the EFL Cup against AFC Wimbledon or Newcastle United at the end of the month.
According to reports from The Mirror, Maresca has no plans to have a change of heart regarding Chilwell’s future. Offers for the player are expected to be encouraged in the early months of 2025, as Chelsea aim to improve their position with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations. Although Chilwell’s contract runs until 2027, there doesn’t seem to be any prospect of a renewal under the current setup at the West London club.
In a recent press conference, Maresca was questioned about his decision to remove Chilwell from his plans shortly after his arrival. The Chelsea manager responded by saying, “We all make mistakes. Probably yes; probably no. I am here to take decisions. Sometimes they are good decisions and sometimes they are not good. The only thing I can say is that there is not any bad intention from me. It is just to see things and try to think about the best things for the club.”
Currently, Marc Cucurella and Renato Veiga are the players ahead of Chilwell in the pecking order. The situation surrounding Chilwell’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the club is looking to make strategic decisions that will benefit them in the long run.