<p>When <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/enzo-maresca/">Enzo Maresca</a></strong> joined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chelsea/"><strong>Chelsea</strong></a> from <strong>Leicester City</strong> in July 2024, one of the biggest challenges was managing the massive squad of 43 professional players eligible for the first team at the start of the season. With the winter transfer window approaching, the Italian coach has left the door open for a $60M signing to depart due to a lack of playing time.</p>



<p><strong>One of the significant acquisitions during Roman Abramovich’s ownership was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/ben-chilwell/">Ben Chilwell</a></strong>. The left-back, who had established himself as one of the Premier League’s best during his time at Leicester City and with the England national team, <strong>joined Chelsea in August 2020 for €50M ($60M at the time)</strong>. Despite his early promise, Chilwell has struggled to find a place in Maresca’s system, prompting speculation about his future.</p>



<p>In Friday’s pre-match press conference, Maresca didn’t shy away when asked about unhappy players in the squad. “<em><strong>There are players that unfortunately didn’t play a lot with us in all the competitions, like Chilwell, like Carney</strong></em> (Chukwuemeka). <em>Probably they are the first ones who want to leave because they work every day, they train every day, and they want to play games. <strong>If they don’t play games, probably they’re thinking about leaving</strong></em>.”</p>



<p><strong>The contrast between Chilwell’s role this season and last season is striking</strong>. Despite missing significant time during the 2023-24 campaign due to injuries, the left-back was still a key starter under Mauricio Pochettino, logging <strong>1,172 minutes</strong> across <strong>21 games</strong>, and being the second captain of the team.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241220_WST_545016_Ben-Chilwell-Chelsea-1200x675_8f5c406f.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-545072" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154445/Ben-Chilwell-Chelsea-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154445/Ben-Chilwell-Chelsea-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154445/Ben-Chilwell-Chelsea-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154445/Ben-Chilwell-Chelsea-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154445/Ben-Chilwell-Chelsea-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154445/Ben-Chilwell-Chelsea-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154445/Ben-Chilwell-Chelsea-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154445/Ben-Chilwell-Chelsea.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>This season under Maresca, Chilwell’s situation has been drastically different. Despite remaining fit and training consistently, he has been relegated to the sidelines. Excluded from Chelsea’s <strong>UEFA Conference League</strong> roster, <strong>Chilwell has only played 45 minutes across all competitions this season</strong>—coming on as a second-half substitute in a 5-0 EFL Cup win against AFC Barrow.</p>


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<h2>Early signs of Chilwell’s marginalization</h2>



<p>Maresca hinted at Chilwell’s diminished role during the preseason. When asked about the left-back’s position, the coach said, “<em>The reason he did not play versus Inter was because, with Chilly</em> (Chilwell), <em>it is quite clear. Even though I love the way he is, <strong>the problem is that he is struggling a bit to find the right position</strong></em>.</p>



<p>“<em><strong>This morning we had 22 players training and if you ask all of them they will say they want to play against City on Sunday</strong>. But that is impossible. When you train every day and do not get any minutes it is not good for them or for me. <strong>I need to make a decision and probably it is better to leave and go and get minutes</strong>. The transfer window is open so we’ll see what happens</em>,” Maresca said, already hinting Chilwell to look for a future out of Chelsea.</p>



<h2>More Chelsea players on the way out</h2>



<p>Chilwell isn’t the only player facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge. According to Fabrizio Romano, <strong>Carney Chukwuemeka</strong> and <strong>Cesare Casadei</strong> are also exploring January exits in search of more minutes. Meanwhile, <strong>Marc Guiu</strong>’s situation remains unresolved.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241220_WST_545016_Cesare-Casadei-Chelsea-1200x675_e3f0dce4.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-545073" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154710/Cesare-Casadei-Chelsea-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154710/Cesare-Casadei-Chelsea-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154710/Cesare-Casadei-Chelsea-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154710/Cesare-Casadei-Chelsea-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154710/Cesare-Casadei-Chelsea-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154710/Cesare-Casadei-Chelsea-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154710/Cesare-Casadei-Chelsea-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20154710/Cesare-Casadei-Chelsea.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>Casadei has attracted interest from multiple Serie A clubs and could leave on loan or through a permanent transfer. Chukwuemeka, on the other hand, has suitors across Europe, including Italy. <strong>AC Milan, who pursued the midfielder during the summer, could reignite their interest in January</strong>.</p>

Exodus begins: Chelsea leaves door open to $60M signing amid limited minutes under Enzo Maresca

Exodus begins: Chelsea leaves door open to $60M signing amid limited minutes under Enzo Maresca - World Soccer Talk

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<p>Chelsea advanced to the fourth round of the League Cup after a difficult test from Brighton and Hove Albion.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/pochettino-plays-crossbar-challenge-with-mudryk-to-build-belief-20230927-WST-458773.html">Mauricio Pochettino</a> and his players had been struggling recently. As a result, the cup win was a welcome reprieve. Despite finally breaking their four-game losing streak, another injury spoiled this triumph for the Blues.</p>



<p>Many key members of the Chelsea squad are <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-relegated-could-the-unthinkable-happen-this-season-20230926-WST-458667.html">out due to injury</a>. Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku and Wesley Fofana are out for extended periods. Now, English defender Ben Chilwell joins the injury list at Chelsea after a mid-game knock.</p>



<h2>How long will Chilwell be out of the Chelsea squad with injury?</h2>



<p>The defender took a hard hit from Billy Gilmour in the waning minutes of Wednesday night’s game. Pochettino had to withdraw him not long after. Injury to the hamstring has plagued him in the past; one of these prevented him from competing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.</p>



<p>As reported by <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ben-chilwell-set-for-scan-on-another-hamstring-injury-h30jd5djv" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Times</a>, his current setback also involves his hamstring, and he will be scanned to ascertain the severity of the damage. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> faithful must now patiently await news of how long the injury will keep him out of action.</p>



<p>Nonetheless, they will be holding out hope that the left-back has escaped serious harm after being challenged by Billy Gilmour. However, the 26-year-old is in serious danger of missing the next matches against Fulham and Burnley before the international break in October.</p>



<h5>Who will replace him at Chelsea?</h5>



<p>With Chilwell out, Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino has even more on his plate. The Argentine boss informed the media that they would need to evaluate the player’s condition the next day, but that he suspected a hamstring strain.</p>



<p>If the Englishman is out for an extended period of time, the team’s left-back position will be a major problem. Lewis Hall was sold during the summer, and it does not seem like Marc Cucurella is in the manager’s long-term plans as a replacement for Chilwell.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Focus Images</em></p>


Pochettino's update on Chilwell after new Chelsea injury woes

Even though Chelsea finally returned to winning ways, fullback Ben Chilwell picked up an injury that could sideline him for extended time.


<p>Real Madrid swept aside <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> Wednesday in a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Champions League</a> quarterfinal first leg matchup. The home Bernabeu crowd were treated with a fantastic performance by the reigning European champions. Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo regularly torched Chelsea’s defense throughout the evening.</p>



<p>The matchup was particularly interesting because of the ties between the two managers. Chelsea’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lampard-returns-to-chelsea-as-caretaker-manager-20230406-WST-426952.html">interim boss Frank Lampard</a> played under Carlo Ancelotti when the Italian was with the Blues from 2009 to 2011. </p>



<p>Chelsea’s counter-attack was looking dangerous in the opening stages of the first half on Wednesday. Joao Felix, a player <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real</a> will know well for his time at Atletico Madrid, got in behind the backline twice in the first five minutes. Nevertheless, Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao were able to snuff out the danger.</p>



<h2>A familiar scorer for Real Madrid against Chelsea in quarterfinal</h2>



<p>The hosts would settle, though, and eventually open the scoring in the 21st minute. Dani Carvajal put a lobbed pass over the Chelsea defense and into Vinicius Jr.’s path. Kepa Arrizabalaga got a paw on the ball after the Brazilian controlled it. Karim Benzema, however, was the first player to pounce and put the ball into the wide open net from a yard away.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Karim Benzema loves scoring against Chelsea!<br><br>Dani Carvajal with a perfect pass. 🤌 <a href="https://t.co/Zzm4L45JDu">pic.twitter.com/Zzm4L45JDu</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1646233551443218433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Chelsea nearly leveled the scoreline just a minute later. Reece James sent a dangerous cross towards Raheem Sterling at the edge of the six-yard box. The England international couldn’t get quality contact on the ball though and it deflected off of Militao towards goal. Courtois was once again up to the task and made <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1646234467051384833" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the diving save</a> to keep the score 1-0.</p>



<h5>Chelsea’s chances diminished after red card</h5>



<p>Real put more pressure on the visitors in the 59th minute when Ben Chilwell was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring chance. The England international brought down Rodrygo as the Brazilian rushed towards goal. Toni Kroos played in Rodrygo with another excellent ball over the top. Chilwell elected to bring down the attacker rather than take his chances with a potential one-on-one opportunity.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A STRAIGHT red card for Ben Chilwell. 😲 <a href="https://t.co/hQGKK8uFVF">pic.twitter.com/hQGKK8uFVF</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1646247180150398983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Second half substitute <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1646251137274880001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marco Asensio doubled Real’s lead</a> in the 74th minute with a quality finish. The Spanish international threaded the needle with a low shot that somehow made its way through the Chelsea defense. The goal came from the hosts making a series of slick passes after taking a corner kick. Vinicius provided the final ball for the assist.</p>



<p>Despite the man advantage for over 30 minutes, the hosts only managed the two goals. Nevertheless, Real will take a solid advantage to Stamford Bridge next week. The eventual winners of the tie are set to face either <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/man-city-bashes-bayern-in-first-leg-of-ucl-quarterfinals-20230411-WST-427859.html">Manchester City or Bayern Munich</a> in the semifinals of the competition.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


Real Madrid beat Chelsea at home in a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg matchup on Wednesday. The next game is in six days.

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