Crystal Palace are weighing up a January move for Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell.
The English left-back’s future at Stamford Bridge was a big talking point throughout the summer transfer window. Deemed surplus to requirements for new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, Ben Chilwell, 27, almost left the club in the summer but stayed on after failing to find a new home.
The defender was frozen out of the first-team squad until Wednesday after being named in the Blues’ Premier League squad. The West Londoners are likely to let Chilwell leave, as Enzo Maresca looks to manage a bloated squad.
Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing Chilwell when the transfer window reopens in January but could face competition from Premier League newbies Ipswich Town.
Ben Chilwell has no future at Stamford Bridge
Enzo Maresca’s first-choice left-back is Marc Cucurella, who returned to Chelsea in August after becoming Euro 2024 winners with Spain. The 26-year-old has started all four Premier League games thus far as he looks to adapt to the demands of the new boss.
The Blues were active during the past summer transfer window, spending millions in the market once again. One of the players to arrive at the club was Renato Veiga. Signed from FC Basel, Veiga is a versatile player who can play at left-back, centre-back and defensive midfield. The Portuguese operated in midfield in Chelsea’s 1-0 away win over Bournemouth last weekend but he is more than capable of acting as a deputy to Cucurella. Levi Colwill is also an option.
Maresca has Cucurella, Veiga and Colwill to cover the left-back position, so Chilwell at the moment looks way behind in the pecking order. Truth to be told, the England international doesn’t have a future at Stamford Bridge despite being named in their Premier League squad. He should be concerned about his lack of game time and leave the Pensioners in the New Year.
Chilwell would be a solid option as Crystal Palace is looking to bolster their defensive unit in January. He has the knowhow of the Premier League and could make an instant impact for Oliver Glasner’s side. If the left-back can stay fit and get some consistency back to his game, Chilwell could turn out to be a smart piece of business done from the Eagles.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
