golden palasyo Chelsea: Blues' Boss Maresca Feels 'Shame' Over Chilwell Treatment
Updated:2025-01-15 06:14 Views:189
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell
Enzo Maresca admitted he feels "shame" over leaving Ben Chilwell out of the teamgolden palasyo, but reiterated the left-back does not feature in his Chelsea plans. (More Football News)
Chilwell joined Chelsea from Leicester City in August 2020 on a five-year contract and has made 107 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, while also helping them to win the Champions League in 2021.
However, since Maresca arrived in West London, Chilwell has made just one appearance, a 45-minute cameo in Chelsea's 5-0 victory over Barrow in the EFL Cup.
Right after their touchdown, family members greeted the players with garlands and warm hugs, before accepting congratulations from the state political leaders such as minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla.
"There won't be a vacuum. Someone will come in my place, for sure. All the sports are like that. Sachin Tendulkar was there and now there is Virat Kohli, and someone will take his place tomorrow. So, Sreejesh was there yesterday, but someone else will come and take his place tomorrow," the goalkeeping stalwart told PTI in an interview at the India House in Paris.
Maresca made it clear from the start of his tenure that the England international was unlikely to play for Chelsea if he stayed at the club this season, but he says he sympathises with him.
"Because players want to play more, so there's probably chances for them to leave," Maresca said. "But 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."
Focused. pic.twitter.com/kEfPtqJBd2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 13, 2025
Asked why Chilwell was not featuring, Maresca added: "First of all, because it is my choice. And because I can see Malo Gusto, Reece James or Marc Cucurella doing different kind of jobs during the game.
"I think Chilwell is a top full-back, doing that job up and down and given opportunity in past to win titles and be in national team, but I struggle to see Ben doing different kind of things."
Chilwell is one of a host of Chelsea players linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, with Renato Veiga, Alex Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei all struggling for game time as well.
With Christopher Nkunku also reportedly frustrated with his lack of involvement, Maresca insisted there is no way to keep everyone in his large squad happy.
"It's impossible, two months not playing, and they won't be happy," Maresca added. "First of all, our target is to do the best for the club and the team, win games.
"If we can keep the players happy, they are happy. If they don't play, they won't be happy. If I sell all the players that aren't happygolden palasyo, we stay here with 12 players. Our intention is not to move players."
