“I’m here to stay” – Chelsea star sends strong warning to Enzo Maresca after being Banished from club
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca banished Ben Chilwell from the first team, but Chilwell is still “more than happy” to play for Chelsea.
The left-back was part of the “bomb-squad,” a group of more than a dozen players who Maresca banished over the summer and told they had no chance of staying at Stamford Bridge. Chilwell is still wearing blue, in contrast to players like Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher, and Romelu Lukaku who were able to gain transfers out of the team.
There was never any real interest in the England international because of his expensive salary, which are rumored to be approximately £200,000 a week, and his alarming injury history. Although there have been hints of a possible transfer to Turkey, where Chilwell can still sign until this Friday, it appears more likely that he will stay at Chelsea.
Maresca has been firm in his stance, stating that he will not reconsider his decision regarding the exiled players. Chilwell has been excluded from Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League squad, and it is anticipated that he will also be omitted from the Premier League squad, which is set to be announced on Friday. This leaves the Carabao Cup as the only competition in which he might feature for the Blues this year.
Despite the uncertain situation, the Daily Mail reports that Chilwell is “more than happy” to play in the Carabao Cup, while the club itself would prefer to see him on the pitch in some capacity over the coming months. Sources close to the player suggest it “makes no sense” to bench him entirely, as it could only further reduce his market value and appeal to potential buyers when the transfer window reopens in January.
Chelsea kick off their Carabao Cup campaign with a home match against League Two side Barrow on September 24. Until then, Chilwell’s immediate future remains in the balance as the Blues prepare for their Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth on Saturday night and London rivals West Ham on September 21.