Ben Chilwell, Chelsea’s 27-year-old left-back, is facing a challenging decision about his future at Stamford Bridge. Since joining the club from Leicester City for £45 million in 2020, the England international has struggled to earn regular playing time under new manager Enzo Maresca this season. Despite having made 107 appearances for Chelsea, Chilwell has only featured once so far this campaign, with Maresca opting for other squad options.
Earlier in the summer, Maresca suggested Chilwell might need to move on to secure regular playing time, stating, “With Chilly, I said he is a lovely guy but with his position, he’s going to struggle with us.”
Although Chilwell played in a Carabao Cup match against Barrow earlier this season, he has not appeared again since, prompting speculation about his future at the club.
Former Chelsea player Celestine Babayaro, who made nearly 200 appearances for the Blues, believes Chilwell should consider leaving to reignite his career. Babayaro expressed admiration for Chilwell but noted, “He can’t seem to get himself fit. He’s not as young as he once was, so he’s got to be thinking, ‘If I’m not getting games here, I need to move.’”
As Chelsea struggles to keep up with league leaders Liverpool, Babayaro feels that Chilwell, more than other players like Christopher Nkunku or Carney Chukwuemeka, needs a fresh start to regain his form.
Despite some critiques of Maresca’s appointment, Babayaro has praised the manager for improving Chelsea’s style of play, adding, “Maresca is a great coach.
He did really well with Leicester, bringing them back into the Premier League.” However, he advised Maresca to vary his post-match comments, as the constant reference to “taking each game as it comes” might impact player morale.
Chilwell, now at a crossroads, requires consistent playing time to stay at his best. Whether he decides to leave Chelsea in January or wait until the summer, a change of scenery may be the key to reigniting his career.
