Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell is poised to resume training with the first team after missing out on a potential transfer before the summer deadline. The 27-year-old England international was among several Chelsea players excluded from first-team training, alongside high-profile names like Raheem Sterling, Romelu Lukaku, and Trevoh Chalobah. However, unlike others who secured moves away from Stamford Bridge, Chilwell remains with the London club.
Despite his situation,Ben Chilwell has been left out of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League squad. The Premier League mandates that clubs submit a squad of 25 players over the age of 21 by Saturday, which may explain his exclusion. Speaking on the matter, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who took charge earlier this summer, expressed optimism. “We will sit with him and find solutions,” Maresca said. “He’s probably going to start training with us. I saw him this morning and he’s OK.”
Ben Chilwell’s Long Journey at Chelsea
Ben Chilwell’s career at Chelsea has seen both highs and lows since his £45 million move from Leicester City in 2020. The talented left-back played a crucial role in the Blues’ 2021 UEFA Champions League triumph, but injuries and inconsistent form have limited his impact. Ben Chilwell last appeared for Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester City in April 2024 at Wembley Stadium.
The decision to train him separately during the transfer window suggests Chelsea were looking to move him on, but no deal materialized. Despite the transfer speculation,Ben Chilwell’s commitment to Chelsea remains intact, and his reintegration into first-team training is expected to bolster the club’s options as they aim for Premier League success. With the squad submission deadline approaching, it remains to be seen if Ben Chilwell will make the Premier League roster.
Chelsea Manager Maresca Unfazed by Ownership Turmoil
Amidst the on-pitch preparations, Chelsea’s off-field situation has also been a talking point, with reports of a rift between co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. The two were instrumental in the 2022 takeover of the club after Roman Abramovich was forced to sell due to political pressure, but tensions between them have surfaced over recent months. There are ongoing discussions about one owner buying out the other.
Despite the ownership uncertainty, Maresca has emphasized that his focus remains on football. “If I spend my energy on something different, it’s not worth it,” Maresca said ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Bournemouth. “The other things are things I cannot control. I’m speaking with both Todd and Behdad, and there’s no problem at all.” Maresca reassured fans that the players understand the importance of maintaining focus, especially as the club looks to improve its performance on the pitch amidst ownership distractions.
Maresca’s Tactical Vision and Ben Chilwell’s Exclusion
Enzo Maresca, who took over at Chelsea in the summer, has made significant tactical shifts, particularly in how full-backs operate in his system. During Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the USA, the Italian manager emphasized that his playing style demands full-backs to move into midfield when the team is in possession, a role Ben Chilwell struggled to adapt to. This tactical mismatch led to Ben Chilwell being informed that he was free to leave the club, with Marc Cucurella favored as the starting left-back in the Premier League.
The former Leicester City defender, who joined Chelsea in a £50 million move in 2020, has had a challenging spell at Stamford Bridge, particularly last season. His hamstring and knee injuries limited him to just 13 appearances in the Premier League, and his fitness concerns, along with his high wages, made it difficult for Chelsea to find a suitable buyer in the transfer market.
A New Opportunity Amid Limited Options
With the transfer window now closed, Maresca has reluctantly brought Ben Chilwell back into the fold, acknowledging that the left-back’s return to the first-team squad was more out of necessity than preference. Speaking at a press conference, Maresca confirmed that Ben Chilwell will now start training with the rest of the squad, stating, “We are going to sit with him and find a solution because he is the only one. He is probably going to be back with us in a training session.”
Ben Chilwell still has three years remaining on his lucrative Chelsea contract, and despite missing out on England’s Euro 2024 squad, he now has a chance to revive his career at the club. With Cucurella starting the majority of games and Renato Veiga featuring in European competition, Ben Chilwell will need to prove himself again if he hopes to reclaim a regular spot in Maresca’s plans. His upcoming performances will likely be crucial in determining whether he can turn this unexpected opportunity into a long-term revival at Stamford Bridge.
