The queue to sign Ben Chilwell really is starting to grow pretty long.
Early today we had reports about Napoli interest in the former Leicester man. That followed a lot of chatter in the summer about a potential Manchester United move. Now CaughtOffside are claiming that both Fulham and Crystal Palace are joining the queue to sign up Chilwell in January.
Fulham are said to be looking for an alternative to Antonee Robinson – who looks likely to leave at some point in the next 12 months, while Palace are in a similar situation with Tyrick Mitchell.
Enzo Maresca has made it very clear that Chilwell isn’t in his plans – with his team selections and literally by saying that repeatedly in press conferences. But with the Blues determined to only let the previously key player leave on a permanent transfer rather than a loan, nothing materialised in the summer, and now Chilwell has spent a lot of time watching from the stands – which isn’t going to improve his chances of a move, really.
Chilwell will have to accept major change to secure outgoing move
Ultimately however, the list of teams interest is irrelevant compared to the main factor which is stopping any movement right now – the left back’s wages. He’s on a reported £200,000 a week, and none of these interested teams are going to be willing to pay anything close to that, especially on top of a transfer fee.
One would assume that 6 months rotting on the bench at Stamford Bridge will be enough motivation for the England international to accept a big cut to go somewhere else – but there’s not much that Chelsea or anybody else can do if he decides he’d rather stay put and keep fighting to impress Enzo Maresca.
