Chelsea could struggle to offload Ben Chilwell due to his high wages, as the left-back has not been able to attract viable suitors ahead of the January transfer window.
According to The Sun, Ben Chilwell has no suitors lining up a move for the out-of-favour left-back, as Chelsea could struggle to offload one of their highest earners. The 28-year-old misfit’s wages could prove a big stumbling block, as he may stare at another six months on the sidelines under Enzo Maresca.
Enzo Maresca made it abundantly clear that some of the players from the previous first team were to play no part in his plans. Raheem Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Ben Chilwell were the ones sidelined as part of this plan, although only the former found a suitor before the summer deadline.
Chukwuemeka has at least made it to the cup team as well as the UEFA Europa Conference League squad, where he has made five appearances in all. As for Chilwell, he has only made one appearance in the EFL Cup, that too as a substitute at half-time to replace summer signing Renato Veiga in the 5-0 thrashing of Barrow.
Sticking with Chilwell, and Chelsea have a huge problem ahead of January, as his high wages are likely to prove problematic in the club’s efforts to offload him. Back in the summer, there were clubs like Brentford, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce keen, while there were some links to Manchester United as Chelsea probed a move for Jadon Sancho. However, none of those links came to fruition.
Ahead of the January transfer window, there are a few loose links to Juventus or again to Manchester United, as per previous reports. However, the current story suggests the 28-year-old misfit does not have any viable suitors ahead of next month’s window, which does leave Chelsea in a difficult spot as well as the player.
Is Chilwell staring at six months of no action?
Chilwell was a £50 million acquisition back in 2020 from Leicester City but has only made just over 100 appearances for Chelsea in the following years. He did play a key role in their Champions League triumph in 2021. But beyond that, injuries have hampered his progress with the club.
With barely any game time so far, his lack of it, and Chilwell will want regular minutes at his next club. However, the contract he signed a year ago, as well as the wages he earns, is making life difficult for the 28-year-old misfit ahead of January, and the forgotten left-back could potentially stare at six months on the sidelines at Chelsea.