Chelsea faced second division club Barrow in the third round of EFL cup on Tuesday night. The Blues managed to have a comfortable 5-0 victory over the Bluebirds. A hat-trick from Christopher Nkunku along with a goal from Pedro Neto and an own goal helped them to achieve that score line.
A handful of players who didn’t get a chance in the league campaign started the game for the Blues on Tuesday. The list includes players like Dewsbury-Hall, Mudryk, Jorgensen and others. However, there was a very familiar name in the Chelsea bench for the first time this season. It was none other than former Foxes player Ben Chilwell, who was left out of the plans by Maresca at the start of the new season.
What changed Maresca’s mind
Enzo Maresca got appointed as the Chelsea manager earlier this summer. After few training sessions and the Pre-season Maresca made some tough decision regarding the squad. The Italian left out some of the senior Chelsea players like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell out of his plans for the 2024-25 season. He believed they weren’t the type of players he wants in his team. Both of the players were free to move away from the Stamford Bridge.
Sterling managed to get a loan move to the rival side Arsenal for the rest of the season. However, Chilwell didn’t want leave the club before the deadline day and was left with two choices. Either go to Saudi, Turkish or Greek league where the transfer window was still open. Or stay at Chelsea without any playtime until the winter transfer window opens in January. Chilwell had no problems to stay at West London and earn that £200,000-per-week salary.
But the Chelsea management and Maresca had to change their mind because they want to sell Chilwell in the next window. And if he doesn’t play any football until January no clubs will invest in him. Already clubs are hesitant about the Englishman because of his salary and injury background. So Chilwell was recently included in Chelsea’s 25-man Premier League squad for the 2024-25 season, a few weeks ago.
Chilwell gets minutes for the first time this season
Chilwell made his first appearance of the campaign by coming on as a substitute in the Carabao Cup clash against Barrow. The Englishman received a warm welcome by the supporters inside the Bridge. He even wore the captain’s armband after replacing Malo Gusto at the start of the second half.
Maresca has discussed about the appearance of Chilwell after the game. Speaking to Football London, he said,
“Also, very good. It was not easy for Chilly. He didn’t get any minutes this season but he has shown he is there, he is ready and working well. There is not any problem. If we have a chance, we will give him some more minutes.”
The Italian believes Chilwell’s offensive traits can help the team during his stay at the club. As Maresca wants to create an overload on the left side of the pitch to have more passing options. So, we can hope to see more of Chilwell’s play until the winter transfer window opens in January.
Chilwell’s future
Chilwell’s future at the Chelsea camp is very uncertain as it seems. The Englishman is back at the club for a regular basis. But the sole purpose of Maresca to bring him back in, is because they want to put him on the transfer marke in January.
Chilwell will still have 3 months of time to change Maresca’s mind but the competition in his position is very difficult. As Euro 2024 winning fullback Marc Cucurella has become one of the most important player for Chelsea recently. Renato Veiga who joined the Chelsea camp earlier this summer is also a very versatile player, who can play on the both sides.
If situation remains the same, Chilwell will most likely join the Turkish side Fenerbahçe which is currently managed by ‘the Special One’ Jose Mourinho.
Fenerbahçe was interested in him this summer but the player never gave his green light. He was waiting for the proposal from Manchester United, but at the end the Red Devils decided not to reach out Chilwell because of his injury issues.
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