### Ben Chilwell Faces Uncertain Future at Chelsea Amid Manchester United Interest
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s new manager, has hinted at a potential departure for Ben Chilwell amid rumors of a move to Manchester United. Chilwell, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2020 for £45 million, has struggled with injuries and now faces an uncertain future under Maresca’s leadership.
Maresca, who took over at Stamford Bridge following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure, acknowledged the delicate situation surrounding Chilwell. The 27-year-old left-back has made over 100 appearances for Chelsea but has been plagued by injuries, which also ruled him out of England’s Euro 2024 campaign. His competitor at Chelsea, Marc Cucurella, recently starred in Spain’s victorious campaign in Germany.
Discussing Chilwell’s role in the team, Maresca admitted that he is still trying to determine the best position for the former Leicester man. “Chilly is a left-back, for sure. I see him as I’ve always seen him, like a left full-back,” Maresca stated. He further elaborated on the challenges of fitting Chilwell into the team, saying, “It’s delicate in terms of we are trying to find a solution for him in terms of position. We are trying to find the right position for him. He probably needs a bit of time.”
This uncertainty comes after Chilwell was linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United earlier in the month. Maresca’s comments suggest that while Chilwell is seen primarily as a left-back, there is still an ongoing process to find the best way to utilize his skills within the team.
Despite his issues with form and fitness, some believe it would be a mistake for Chelsea to let Chilwell go. Former Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge voiced his support for keeping the England international. “I’d look to keep him, but he just has to stay fit,” Bridge said in an interview with Betfred. “He’s missed a lot of games for Chelsea, but if he can stay fit, then I don’t know why you’d want to get rid of him, unless there’s something going on in the background that we don’t know about.”
As Chelsea continue their pre-season preparations, the future of Ben Chilwell remains uncertain. Maresca’s attempts to find a suitable role for the player could determine whether he stays at Stamford Bridge or makes a move to Manchester United.
