Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell is set to rejoin first-team training after initially being left out of new head coach Enzo Maresca’s plans. After a difficult transfer window, Chelsea is now seeking a resolution for the 27-year-old defender’s future at the club.
Key Points:
- Maresca has reconsidered his decision and will bring Chilwell back into training.
- Chilwell’s future at Chelsea was uncertain following an unsuccessful transfer window.
- Chilwell had been training separately from the first team under Maresca’s management.
Chilwell, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2020 for a £45 million fee, was initially deemed surplus to Maresca’s long-term strategy for the squad. Despite attempts to secure a transfer during the summer window, no deal was reached, leading to the club’s decision to bring Chilwell back into the fold.
The 27-year-old defender has faced several injury setbacks throughout his time at Chelsea, preventing him from solidifying a consistent spot in the starting lineup. His most recent appearance for the team came on April 20, during Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City at Wembley. Nevertheless, Chilwell remains a respected player, having played a crucial role in Chelsea’s 2020-2021 Champions League victory.
Maresca confirmed the defender’s return, stating, “He is probably going to start training with us. I saw him this morning and he’s OK.” The coach explained that the reason Chilwell was training separately was due to the expectation that he would leave the club. “We didn’t find solutions and he is here… We will sit with him and find solutions,” Maresca added.
Several other notable Chelsea players, including Raheem Sterling, Romelu Lukaku, and Trevoh Chalobah, have also been training away from the main group under Maresca and eventually moved on from the club. However, unlike his teammates, Chilwell has been given an opportunity to return to the first-team setup as Chelsea navigates its transition under new leadership.
While Chilwell’s long-term future at Chelsea remains uncertain, his reintegration into training suggests that the club may be reevaluating his position or considering other potential options. For Chilwell, this represents a chance to regain his fitness and prove his worth to the new manager, providing a positive step forward in his career at Stamford Bridge.
