Enzo Maresca has hinted Ben Chilwell could leave Chelsea this summer after being linked with a shock move to Manchester United.
Chilwell is said to face an uncertain future under new Stamford Bridge boss Maresca, who arrived from Leicester City earlier in the summer after Mauricio Pochettino’s departure.
The 27-year-old has made more than 100 appearances for Chelsea since completing a £45m move from Leicester in 2020 but has struggled with injuries throughout his time in west London.
Injury issues effectively ruled Chilwell out of England’s Euro 2024 campaign and his left-back rival at Chelsea, Marc Cucurella, starred in Spain’s victory out in Germany.
Discussing Chilwell’s role in his Chelsea team, Maresca admitted the defender is in a ‘delicate situation’ as he is still trying to work out how to use the ex-Leicester man.
Maresca’s admission comes after Chilwell was linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United earlier in the month.
Asked if he sees Chilwell as an out-and-out left-back or a player who could play slightly further up the pitch down the left, Maresca said: ‘Chilly is a left-back, for sure. I see him as I’ve always seen him like a left full-back.’
Pressed on Chilwell’s best position and whether he could adapt to an inverted role, as his full-backs often did at Leicester, Maresca added: ‘His situation is a bit delicate.
‘It’s delicate in terms of we are trying to find a solution for him in terms of position, we are trying to find the right position for him. He probably needs a bit of time.
‘We want players that can perform 100 per cent and for sure in these two or three weeks.
‘Malo [Gusto] and Reece [James] can both do the work required of them and both finish with more assists or more dangerous in the way they were being used in the past because in that position they are good enough to make last passes because their quality, they are both very good.’
Despite Chilwell’s problems with form and fitness, ex-Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge believes it would be a mistake to sell the England international.
‘I’d look to keep him, but he just has to stay fit,’ Bridge, who made 142 appearances for Chelsea, said of Chilwell in an interview with Betfred.
‘He’s missed a lot of games for Chelsea but if he can stay fit, then I don’t know why you’d want to get rid of him, unless there’s something going on in the background that we don’t know about.
‘I just believe that Ben has a lot of ability and is capable of proving himself, as long as he stays fit.
‘He’s going to have to prove himself if the manager is uncertain about him, but a manager’s head can be turned by a player rather than them being stubborn enough to just force someone out.
‘If Ben does well, then he’s still got a chance of remaining at Chelsea. There’s not an abundance of left-backs out there and Ben’s a great one.’
After a 2-2 draw with League One side Wrexham and a shock 4-1 defeat to Celtic, Chelsea face Mexican outfit Club America in their third pre-season friendly in the early hours of Thursday morning.
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