Enzo Maresca has stood by his decision to axe Ben Chilwell from Chelsea’s Conference League squad – insisting he has no regrets.
The Blues boss has shown his ruthless side since replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the Stamford Bridge dugout in the summer by freezing out a number of players.
It resulted in Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku, Raheem Sterling, Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja and Kepa Arrizabalaga all being shipped out.
But Ben Chilwell remained on the club’s books following the summer transfer window – despite being offered to Chelsea’s Premier League rivals.
And he was one of many high-profile stars in the Chelsea dressing room to be left out of the League stage of their Conference League squad.
Despite being included in their Premier League squad, he has failed to even make the bench in any of their opening six top-flight matches.
His only appearance so far this campaign has been against Barrow in the Carabao Cup third round, where he was introduced after half time.
Ahead of the club’s Conference League opener against Belgian outfit Gent on Thursday night, Maresca was asked whether he has any regrets over his decision to omit him from their squad list.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he simply stated: “No. I don’t think so.”
His comments come just days after he hinted he may have been harsh with his treatment over Chilwell while stressing he may be used in the near future.
The Italian remarked: “Yes, at the moment we need him, why not?
“I said it many times and I will say again that, as long as Chilly is with us, he is a Chelsea player. And if we need him, we give him a chance and minutes.
2
“We all make mistakes. Probably yes; probably no. I am here to take decisions.
“Sometimes they are good decisions and sometimes they are not good.
“The only thing I can say is that there is not any bad intention from me.
“It is just to see things and try to think about the best things for the club.”
With the winter market to re-open in January, it seems likely that Chelsea will look to find a new club for Chilwell.
Chilwell, who joined the club from Leicester for £50million in 2020, is contracted at the west London club until 2027.
