Ben Chilwell is on the brink of leaving Chelsea, with a loan move to Crystal Palace set to bring an end to his frustrating spell at Stamford Bridge.
Since arriving from Leicester in 2020 for £45 million, the left-back has struggled with injuries, limiting his impact and ultimately leading to his exclusion from the England squad. Now, with limited opportunities under Enzo Maresca, Chilwell is seeking a fresh start elsewhere in the Premier League.
The arrival of Maresca signaled the end of Chilwell’s time at Chelsea, with the defender making just one appearance this season—a 45-minute outing in the Carabao Cup against Barrow. He was also named in the squad for the defeat to Newcastle in the same competition but did not feature. Beyond that, he has been completely frozen out, even omitted from the club’s UEFA Europa Conference League squad. In January, Maresca made it clear that Chilwell’s departure was likely, paving the way for this move.
Crystal Palace have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Chilwell, with manager Oliver Glasner pushing for defensive reinforcements. With Tyrick Mitchell the only natural left-back in the squad, securing Chilwell would provide much-needed depth. Palace have already received Chelsea’s approval for the deal, and negotiations are now focused on finalizing the terms before the transfer deadline.
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Maresca has been vocal about his reasoning for sidelining Chilwell, despite praising his professionalism. The Chelsea boss acknowledged the full-back’s work ethic but cited tactical preferences as the main factor behind his exclusion. With players like Malo Gusto, Reece James, and Marc Cucurella offering different qualities, Maresca admitted he struggled to fit Chilwell into his system.
For Palace, securing Chilwell represents a significant coup, particularly after Chelsea recalled Trevoh Chalobah earlier in the transfer window. Glasner, who has already brought in Romain Esse, made it clear that he wanted at least one more signing before the deadline. He emphasized the importance of adding defensive cover, stating that while he trusts his squad, strengthening the backline remains a priority.
As the final details of the deal are ironed out, Chilwell opens a new chapter at Selhurst Park. If he can stay fit, the 28-year-old has the potential to become a key figure for Palace in the latter half of the season. With the move expected to be completed imminently, all eyes will be on whether this transfer can reignite his career after a difficult period at Chelsea.
