Enzo Maresca makes Ben Chilwell statement

Enzo Maresca admits he ‘feels shame’ over his treatment of CHELSEA defender Ben Chilwell, but has also admitted that the defender does not really have a future at Stamford Bridge, amid all the January speculation

Chelsea spent £45m to sign Chilwell from boyhood club Leicester City in the summer of 2020. He has made 107 appearances for the Blues and has helped the Blues win a Champions League title during his stay in London.

But in the summer he was informed that he would no longer be needed at the club this season and there has been alot of speculation that he is one player that will be sold at some point over the next few weeks of the January window..

No, amid all that speculation, Maresca has not enjoyed continually overlooking Chilwell and says the full-back has reacted superbly to his repeated snubs – Speaking at his pre-Bournemouth press conference on Monday morning, Maresca said: ‘Ben has been top. I have to say that, he has been top.

‘Very professional, works hard. I feel shame because of that situation but in terms of behaviour, he has been very good.’

Asked why he has not changed his stance on Chilwell, Maresca added: ‘First of all because it’s my choice.

‘I can see Malo Gusto or Reece James or Marc Cucurella doing a different kind of job in the game.

‘I think Chilwell is a top full-back doing that job up and down and in the past he has won titles and won international caps. But I struggle to see Ben doing different kind of things.’

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If Chilwell was not plagued by injuries during his time at CHELSEA, he would be the clubs number one left-back, he is quality when he is fit. This January window will give him the opportunity to move away from the Blues and start fresh somewhere, he may have to drop those £200k-a-week wages in order to get the move he needs though.

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