Enzo Maresca’s Dilemma: Ben Chilwell’s Future at Chelsea
It’s a chilly January morning, and the football world is buzzing with the latest revelations from Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca. The Argentine tactician has opened up about his feelings of “shame” regarding the treatment of Ben Chilwell, a player who has been a significant part of Chelsea’s squad in recent years. However, Maresca has made it clear that Chilwell does not fit into his current plans for the team.
For those who might not be familiar, Ben Chilwell, now 28, has been a stalwart for Chelsea, making 70 Premier League appearances over four years before Maresca’s arrival. Yet, this season, Chilwell has only managed to feature once, and that was in the Carabao Cup. It’s a stark contrast to his previous contributions, and fans are left wondering what the future holds for the England international.
During a press conference on Monday, Maresca expressed his sympathy for Chilwell’s situation. “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.”
When pressed on why Chilwell isn’t getting more game time, Maresca explained, “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.” It’s clear that Maresca has a specific vision for his full-backs, one that doesn’t align with Chilwell’s traditional up-and-down style.
Maresca further elaborated on his tactical preferences, stating, “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.” It’s a tough pill to swallow for Chilwell fans, but Maresca’s honesty is refreshing in a world where coaches often hide behind clichés.
Interestingly, Maresca also mentioned his views on full-backs, saying he was “not a fan of full-backs going up and down.” This philosophy might explain why Chilwell, despite his talents, finds himself on the sidelines.
In the same breath, Maresca addressed rumors surrounding young defender Renato Veiga, who has been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund. The 21-year-old Portugal international joined Chelsea from FC Basel last summer but is reportedly unhappy with his playing time and position. Chelsea has been using him at left-back rather than his preferred centre-back role.
Maresca commented, “I’m not aware that there is an agreement for Renato. Yesterday he was here working, today he will be working so he’s our player. We’ll see if something happens.” He added, “We bought Renato from Basel, he arrived and played well in different positions and allowed him to join the national team for the first time in his life. Even if he was not playing in his position [centre back], probably him playing for international team means the position he is playing he is doing well.”
It’s a testament to Chelsea’s ability to develop young talent, even if it means playing them out of their natural positions. Maresca concluded, “We are happy all players go to the international team, especially young players who join Chelsea, play in four or five different positions and gets the chance to play in the national team. We’re very proud of that.”
As Chelsea prepares to host Bournemouth on Tuesday night, they find themselves without a win in five Premier League matches. The pressure is mounting, and fans are eager to see how Maresca’s strategies will play out on the pitch.
- Ben Chilwell’s limited appearances this season
- Maresca’s tactical preferences for full-backs
- Renato Veiga’s potential move to Borussia Dortmund
- Chelsea’s current winless streak in the Premier League
With so much at stake, the coming weeks will be crucial for Chelsea and their fans. Will Maresca’s vision lead to success, or will changes be necessary to get the team back on track?
Originally Written by: ESPN
