Chelsea star Ben Chilwell has been told in no uncertain times that he has no future at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca and the race is on the find a way out of the club
Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg could offer Ben Chilwell a chance to save his career. The England defender faces little to no future at Stamford Bridge, with Enzo Maresca having told him he can leave.
But with just a couple of days until the transfer window closes, offers for Chilwell have been at a premium. That could potentially change, with Chelsea potentially set to use their multi-club model to move him on.
According to The Telegraph, Ligue 1 side Strasbourg have emerged as late suitors for the defender. A deal would likely be a loan arrangement, with Chelsea continuing to cover the majority of his £200k-per-week wages.
Strasbourg and Chelsea have conducted plenty of business since the former were acquired by BlueCo. The French side have signed Ishe Samuels-Smith, Mathis Amougou and Diego Moreira from Chelsea permanently over recent season, while others have also moved on loan - the most recent being Mamadou Sarr, Mike Penders and Kendry Paez.
Chilwell would become the latest in a long line of players to move to Ligue 1 having spent the second-half of last season on loan with Crystal Palace. Speaking during his time at Selhurst Park, he said: “For however many months at Chelsea, between the start of the season and January, I was training by myself a lot of the days.
“You’re not involved in the matchday squads and you kind of just wait for the opportunity for when you’re gonna go somewhere.”
He added: "I want to get back to showing everyone that I'm a top world class left back, left wing back. I feel I've got stuff to prove.
"Everyone has an ego in football and I'm not going to shy away from it. I want to show everyone that I am as good as what I was when I won the Champions League."
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca revealed his ‘shame’ at the way Chilwell’s future has unfolded at Stamford Bridge. Speaking in January, he said: "Because players want to play more so there's probably chances for them to leave. But Ben has been top. I have to say that, he has been top.
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"Very professional, works hard. I feel shame because of that situation but in terms of behaviour, he has been very good."
Chilwell, 28, joined Chelsea from Leicester in 2020 for £45m. He has played 107 times for the Blues and scored on nine occasions. He still has two years remaining on his contract with the London side.