Chelsea Coach Maresca Recommends Exit For Ben Chilwell Ahead Of Season Start

Ben Chilwell has been advised by head coach Enzo Maresca to consider leaving Chelsea before their Premier League opener against Manchester City on Sunday. Chilwell, who joined Chelsea from Leicester in 2020 for a reported £45 million, has faced numerous injuries. Last season, he played 21 matches but missed 26 games due to hamstring and knee issues.

Chilwell's injury woes have caused him to fall down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. Marc Cucurella's impressive performances with Spain at Euro 2024 have further complicated his situation. Chilwell managed only 64 minutes across Chelsea's six pre-season games and did not feature in their final three fixtures against Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Inter.

Maresca commented on Chilwell's situation, stating, "Chilly [Chilwell] is with us but he has not been training for the last few days because he has been ill." He added that despite liking Chilwell's attitude, the player struggles to find the right position. Maresca hinted that it might be better for Chilwell to leave and get more playing time elsewhere.

The transfer window remains open, giving Chilwell an opportunity to explore other options. Maresca mentioned that having too many players can be challenging: "We spent 20 days in America with 28 or 29 players, so it was quite good to manage the squad. Now we have guys who are not part of the squad and are training apart."

Chelsea has continued to bolster their squad during the transfer window. Wolves' Pedro Neto is the latest addition among nine new arrivals at Stamford Bridge. Despite some departures like Lesley Ugochukwu on loan and Diego Moreira's permanent sale earlier this week, Maresca now manages over 40 players.

Maresca acknowledged the difficulty of managing such a large squad: "At the moment, it is not difficult, but if I start to think I have 43 players, it's not good." This situation underscores the need for strategic decisions regarding player transfers and squad management.

Upcoming Premier League Campaign

Chelsea will kick off their Premier League campaign against reigning champions Manchester City on Sunday. This match marks Maresca's first competitive game in charge of Chelsea. The team aims to start strong under his leadership despite the challenges posed by managing a large squad.

As Chelsea prepares for their opening match, fans eagerly await how Maresca will navigate these early challenges and set the tone for the season ahead.