Ben Chilwell, once a crucial figure in Chelsea’s defense, could be nearing the end of his time at Stamford Bridge, with Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace reportedly keen on signing the England international.
Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell on Ipswich and Crystal Palace’s Radar for January Transfer
Despite rejoining Chelsea’s main training squad this week, Chilwell’s prospects for regular first-team football remain slim.
Sources suggest his inclusion in the Premier League squad is primarily for cover, with no real intention to give him significant game time.
The left-back, a key player in Chelsea’s Champions League-winning side under Thomas Tuchel, has struggled to fit into new manager Enzo Maresca’s system.
Maresca favors full-backs who drift into midfield during possession rather than traditional overlapping runs, a tactical shift that has left Chilwell on the fringes.
Marc Cucurella has firmly established himself as first-choice in that role, with Renato Veiga seen as a strong alternative.
Both Ipswich and Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing a January move for Chilwell, who Chelsea were unable to offload during the summer transfer window.
While his potential departure might be seen as another casualty of Chelsea’s recent squad overhaul, the club may need to lower their transfer demands if they are to find a buyer in the upcoming window.
For Chilwell, the move could offer a fresh start and much-needed minutes on the pitch.
But after being a pivotal part of Chelsea’s recent success, his possible exit marks the end of an era for one of the club’s standout defenders of recent years.
