England international left back Ben Chilwell, could be one of the first players out of the door at Stamford Bridge when the January transfer window opens. The 27-year-old has endured a stop-start career with Chelsea, making just 70 appearances and scoring eight goals since joining in 2020.
The former Leicester City academy graduate penned a contract extension last year through to the summer of 2027. In doing so, Chilwell also bagged a pay rise to earn over £200,000 a week. With the glare of the Premier League on Chelsea’s finances regarding Financial Fair Play (FFP) intensifying, the Blues are said to be looking to offload high-earners who aren’t part of the club’s long-term future.
Chilwell was part of the so-called ‘bomb squad’ during Chelsea’s pre-season with new boss, Enzo Maresca. He was training apart from the first team with the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Raheem Sterling and Kepa Arrizabalaga, all of whom managed to secure loan moves away from West London. However, Chilwell remained and eventually got his name on Maresca’s 25-man Premier League squad to start the 2024/25 season.
Nevertheless, he remains very much on the periphery, despite Maresca stating that he “needed him” after being involved in a Carabao Cup victory over Barrow. The reality is that injuries have stunted Chilwell’s progress at Chelsea. The Blues have never really seen the best of him. A combination of knee and hamstring problems saw him make just 21 appearances across all competitions in 2023/24. Chelsea’s ambitious American ownership is unlikely to stand for retaining expensive, injury-prone players for too long.
The most likely suitors for Chilwell in January
Manchester United are said to be in the market for another left back, with Chilwell near the top of their shortlist. With neither Luke Shaw nor Tyrell Malacia by any means fully fit, the Red Devils need an extra body at left back.
It would be a move down a peg or two for Chilwell, no matter how you dress it up. United’s standing in European football has certainly taken a hit in recent seasons. In the UEFA Europa League futures market at Betano, one of the few licensed betting sites in Nigeria, as well as the UK market, ten Hag’s men are priced as 7/1 second favourites to lift the trophy. Their odds are much higher than Ange Postecoglu’s Tottenham, who are the current 15/4 favourites to clinch their first European trophy in 40 years.
Last month, a report from The Sun also revealed that Chilwell was being courted by two additional Premier League clubs. Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town are said to be monitoring his fitness and form with a view to snapping him up in January. It’s almost certain that Ipswich would only be able to afford a loan deal and it’s likely to be a similar story for Palace, given that Chilwell has two-and-a-half years remaining on a £200,000-a-week contract.
Ipswich may be testing the water for left back options if they are forced to sell Leif Davis in January. Davis’ contract expires in the summer of 2025, so the Tractor Boys may prefer to sell him in January to get maximum value if he’s unprepared to sign a new deal with the club.
Meanwhile Crystal Palace, who have started the 2024/25 Premier League campaign in alarmingly poor fashion, are also looking for competition for Tyrick Mitchell. The Eagles would represent the easiest option for Chilwell if he wanted to remain in London. However, the lure of playing for Town boss, Kieran McKenna, has been strong for other big-name players in recent months. Manchester City midfielder, Kalvin Phillips, was enticed to Portman Road after discussions with McKenna, who inked a new four-year contract with the Suffolk club in May.
Either way, Chilwell’s career is very much at a crossroads now. His next move needs to be one which gives him consistent playing time and an opportunity to stake a genuine claim for England’s left back berth.
