Premier League side approach Chelsea over signing forgotten £45m star
Premier League side approach Chelsea over signing forgotten £45m star
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Crystal Palace have approached Chelsea over signing exiled player Ben Chilwell on loan, according to reports. It has long been known that Chilwell has no future at Stamford Bridge after he was banished from the first-team by Enzo Maresca last summer. But after being linked with a whole host of clubs across Europe, the England international was unable to secure a transfer and ended up remaining in west London.
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Despite being reintegrated into first-team training, Maresca still has no interest in the left-back, handing him just one appearance this season – 45 minutes off the bench against Barrow in the Carabao Cup in September. While the Italian head coach has insisted Chilwell will leave the club, there has been little to no interest in the 28-year-old with just a few days left of the January transfer window – until now.
The Telegraph report that Palace are interested in signing Chilwell on loan as they look to bolster their depleted defence. Their priority is to sign a left-sided centre-back after Trevoh Chalobah was recalled from his loan by Chelsea and Chadi Riad suffered a season-ending injury. The Eagles have also been pursuing a left-wingback with Tyrick Mitchell the only senior one at Selhurst Park but seemingly gave up on top target El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Chiwell can play both positions and while Oliver Glasner’s side appear to be keeping their options open, a deadline day transfer on Monday is a real possibility. The lack of prior interest in Chilwell was believed to be down to his £200,000-a-week wages which no one was willing to pay but if Palace are desperate they may be forced to bite the bullet. For now, Palace are preparing to travel to Manchester United on Sunday, while Chelsea host West Ham on Monday night.
Chilwell joined the Blues from Leicester City in 2020 for £45m, and has since made 107 appearances, winning the Champions League in his first season. He was also part of the England squad that reached the Euro 2020 final and will be hoping to secure regular minutes in order to impress new Three Lions manager – and his former Chelsea boss – Thomas Tuchel. For more stories like this, check our sport page.
