Enzo Maresca has suggested that Ben Chilwell might depart Chelsea this summer following speculation about a surprising transfer to Manchester United.
Chilwell’s future at Stamford Bridge seems uncertain under the new manager Maresca, who took over from Leicester City earlier this summer after Mauricio Pochettino left.
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The 27-year-old has played in more than 100 games for Chelsea since his £45m transfer from Leicester in 2020, but he has been plagued by injuries during his tenure in west London.
These injuries have essentially ruled Chilwell out of England’s Euro 2024 campaign, while his Chelsea left-back competitor, Marc Cucurella, excelled in Spain’s victory in Germany.
Addressing Chilwell’s place in the Chelsea squad, Maresca acknowledged that the defender is in a “delicate situation” as he figures out how to best utilize the former Leicester player.
Maresca’s comments follow reports earlier in the month linking Chilwell with a move to Manchester United, a Premier League rival.
When asked if he views Chilwell as strictly a left-back or a player who could play further up the pitch on the left, Maresca responded, “Chilly is a left-back, for sure. I see him as I’ve always seen him, like a left full-back.”
Pressed on Chilwell’s ideal position and his potential to adapt to an inverted role, as his full-backs often did at Leicester, Maresca added, “His situation is a bit delicate.
“It’s delicate in terms of we are trying to find a solution for him in terms of position, we are trying to find the right position for him. He probably needs a bit of time.
“We want players that can perform 100 percent and for sure in these two or three weeks.
“Malo [Gusto] and Reece [James] can both do the work required of them and both finish with more assists or be more dangerous in the way they were used in the past because in that position they are good enough to make last passes because of their quality, they are both very good.”
Despite Chilwell’s struggles with form and fitness, former Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge believes selling the England international would be a mistake.
“I’d look to keep him, but he just has to stay fit,” Bridge, who played 142 times for Chelsea, said in an interview with Betfred.
“He’s missed a lot of games for Chelsea but if he can stay fit, then I don’t know why you’d want to get rid of him, unless there’s something going on in the background that we don’t know about.
“I just believe that Ben has a lot of ability and is capable of proving himself, as long as he stays fit.
“He’s going to have to prove himself if the manager is uncertain about him, but a manager’s head can be turned by a player rather than them being stubborn enough to just force someone out.
“If Ben does well, then he’s still got a chance of remaining at Chelsea. There’s not an abundance of left-backs out there and Ben’s a great one.”
After drawing 2-2 with League One side Wrexham and suffering a surprising 4-1 defeat to Celtic, Chelsea will face Mexican team Club America in their third pre-season friendly early on Thursday morning.
