According to a new report from the Mail, the likelihood of Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell completing a move before the summer transfer window closes is diminishing and he could be forced to stay with the Blues until the end of the season. The news is undoubtedly a blow to Chilwell, who has previously been recommended to the likes of Manchester United, but has failed to make the move.
Maresca, as Chelsea's director of soccer, has previously suggested that Chilwell may need to look for more playing opportunities with other teams to revitalize his career. However, the reality of the situation is far more complicated than one would think. Chilwell's high salary has become a major obstacle to his transfer. It is reported that he extended his contract with Chelsea last year until 2027, and his weekly salary has exceeded £200,000, which is a salary level that is unaffordable for most clubs.
In addition, Chilwell's position in Chelsea's team has changed. Maresca preferred to use Cucurelia as the main left back, which reduced Chilwell's chances of playing significantly. He didn't even practice with the first team at one point, and was marginalized along with the likes of Sterling. This situation has certainly intensified Chilwell's desire to leave the club.
However, the realities of time constraints and high wages have made Chilwell's transfer path extremely difficult. At the moment, it seems that not many clubs are able to afford his salary, and most teams have already completed their summer reinforcements. Therefore, Chilwell will probably have to accept the reality of staying at Chelsea for at least half a season.
It's certainly a tough decision for Chilwell. He needs to re-prove his strength and value in the meantime, in order to have a chance to leave Chelsea in the future and find a club that suits him better. For Chelsea, they also need to re-evaluate their squad and tactical arrangements to ensure that each player can play to their fullest potential.
