Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town are exploring the possibility of signing Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell. Recent reports have also clarified why Chilwell returned to training and was included in the Blues’ Premier League squad.
Chilwell was initially part of the so-called ‘bomb squad’ this summer—a group of first-team players Chelsea had no plans to use and aimed to offload. Most members of this group were successfully moved, including Trevoh Chalobah (loan to Crystal Palace), Raheem Sterling (loan to Arsenal), Armando Broja (loan to Everton), and Romelu Lukaku (initial £25.2m transfer to Napoli).
However, left-back Ben Chilwell remained and with the vast bulk of transfer windows now closed, the 27-year-old is stuck at Stamford Bridge.
But according to a fresh update from the Sun, Chilwell – who cost Chelsea £50m when signed from Leicester in 2020 – could be on the move in January. They stated Premier League pair Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town are both ‘tracking’ the defender ahead of potential winter window swoops. Whether the two interest clubs would favour a six-month loan deal or a permanent buy was not made clear.
But what is now clear is the reasoning behind Chelsea and manager Enzo Maresca reintegrating Chilwell back into their plans. Indeed, despite being cast aside over the summer, Chilwell has returned to training this week and was named in the Blues’ 25-man squad for the first half of the Premier League season.
According to Give Me Sport, Chelsea have brought Chilwell back in from the cold so as not to jeopardise their chances of securing a January transfer.
The report clarified that Chelsea’s best chances of generating strong interest comes through Chilwell playing somewhat regularly between now and then. Indeed, clubs may be reluctant to move for a player who has been sat on the sidelines for the past six months.
Where will Chilwell minutes come from?
TEAMtalk’s transfer insider, Fraser Gillan, has been able to verify Palace and Ipswich’s interest in Chilwell.
However, a key question remains – exactly when and where will Chilwell get the minutes to put himself in the shop window given he’s clearly unfancied by Maresca?
Chilwell was not named in Chelsea’s Conference League squad named back on September 5. As such, Europe’s third-tier competition will not provide Maresca with an opportunity to feature Chilwell.
Instead, the League Cup could be where the 21-cap England international gets a chance to shine.
The Blues host League Two side Barrow in the third round on Tuesday, September 24. Should Chelsea advance, the fourth round and quarter-finals will also take place long before the January window opens.
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