04-Sep-2024, 01:20 PM
Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell Set for Potential Loan Move to Turkey
Chelsea’s English defender Ben Chilwell finds himself in a precarious situation as the club explores the possibility of loaning him out to a Turkish team before the end of the Turkish transfer window on September 18, 2024. Chilwell, who was previously a key player and even served as vice-captain for Chelsea last season, now faces an uncertain future at the club under new head coach Enzo Maresca. The 27-year-old left-back was unable to secure a move away from Chelsea before the English transfer window closed and the Saudi Arabian window also shut. With limited options available, a loan move to Turkey appears to be Chilwell’s only hope of playing regular football before the January transfer window.
Chelsea are open to sending Chilwell on loan, acknowledging the slim chances of securing a permanent deal at this stage. The defender, who earns around £200,000 per week, has been told he is not in Maresca’s plans and has been training separately from the first team. Maresca’s tactical preferences, which involve full-backs pushing into midfield or playing as a third centre-back, do not align with Chilwell’s playing style. As a result, Marc Cucurella has been preferred as the starting left-back, with summer signing Renato Veiga as his understudy. Injuries to other Chelsea defenders, such as Malo Gusto and Reece James, have highlighted potential opportunities for Chilwell to contribute.
However, Maresca’s firm stance on tactical fit leaves the England international with no prospect of reintegration into the first team unless he secures a move away. This situation is emblematic of the broader challenges facing Chelsea in the transfer market, as they navigate the integration or offloading of players. Decisions made in the coming weeks could set important precedents for how Chelsea manages player careers and tactical fit under Maresca’s leadership.
While a potential loan move to Turkey may not be the ideal scenario for Chilwell or Chelsea fans, it could open a path for him to regain playing time and confidence, potentially rekindling his career either at Chelsea or elsewhere. The outcome of this situation will be closely watched as it unfolds in the final days of the Turkish transfer window.
