The way Ben Chilwell has been treated is just another example of a player being disrespected by Chelsea.
Of course, none of us know the underlying circumstances behind this story, but I’d suspect that it is more than just Enzo Maresca not rating the player. I mean, you might not rate him, but surely he could have done a job against some of the pub teams we have faced in the Conference League to rest some legs?
Why Chilwell has been completely frozen out will probably never be known. But he went from being the vice-captain of our club one season, to not even being good enough to play against farmers the next. That’s just madness.
We know he has been injury prone and essentially that is what has stunted his career the most. But now, after half a season of not playing football and being frozen out completely by his club and his manager, he has had zero serious interest come in. I mean, why would a club want to sign an injury prone player who has not kicked a ball competitively all season? Why on earth would Chelsea not be wanting him to at least play cup games to try and help get whatever crazy valuation they are slapping on his head as well? I have no idea what conditions they are asking for to sell or loan Chilwell, but I can guarantee you it will be too much! Recent experience/reports tells me this!
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Chilwell is on big wages, but I have heard nothing to suggest that he is demanding these same wages, or even big wages, to make a move away – he might be, but I doubt he is, he can’t be that silly. Simply, there have just been no serious moves made for him, yet. There is still a chance he gets a loan move away this season, and there is some tentative interest from some clubs who could still come in. So it’s not done and dusted at this point.
But the way he has been treated does not sit well with me, and it’s just another case of a long list of players who have been treated poorly under this regime and these sporting directors.
I’ve said before that it is always club first, but there should also be a human element considered here, and we don’t do that at this club for a single minute, and that is not right. The Josh Acheampong situation is just another high profile example of this, Carney Chukwuemeka another, Trevoh Chalobah, I could go on, and on….
Massive respect to Chilwell. He might not be the most popular player in terms of people rating him, but in terms of a person and as a professional, he’s been incredible. He has not said a single word in public, he has continued to train well and support his team mates, and he has just kept his head down and worked. For that, I applaud. He’s caused no issues and has just continued to do his job.
I think if Chilwell can stay fit and he joins a team who will use him as an attacking full back where he can play with freedom, then he can still save his career. He can still offer a lot to the right team. He is not a terrible player. I’d be OK to start him as Marc Cucurella cover in the Conference League too for the rest of the season if he is forced to stay, but I doubt that will happen. He will just continue to rot away behind the scenes.
I’m not saying we should be keeping Chilwell by the way and that he is good enough to continue playing for Chelsea. But he certainly isn’t as bad as some people say he is, and he deserves our total respect for the professional manner in how he has been through all of this. Many other players would be kicking up a stink in these circumstances.
I feel really bad for Chilly, who seems like a really good guy and has always been a good person to have around the camp, from the things I’ve heard from Cobham sources.
Such a shame how it is going to end for him at Chelsea. And no, I am not pinning all the blame for that on Chelsea or Enzo Maresca, but they all should have and could have handled this MUCH better.
