Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Ben Chilwell is back in contention at Chelsea after being reintegrated into the first team squad.
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Chilwell included in 25-man squad after summer exileLeft-back failed to find summer transfer away from ChelseaMaresca admits Chilwell is 'training well with us'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Chilwell was part of Chelsea's infamous 'bomb squad' over the summer, which saw numerous first-team players banished to train separately after being deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca.
However, the England international was unable to find a move away from the club and was eventually registered in Chelsea's 25-man squad for the Premier League, with Maresca admitting that Chilwell's inclusion in his matchday group would be determined 'game after game'.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Chilwell was told by Maresca early in pre-season that he had no future at Chelsea and was instructed to seek a move to a new club. However, the former Leicester star struggled to command interest from other sides, with teams reportedly put off by his wages and his problems with injury.
A loan move to Turkey did not manifest either and Chelsea are now resigned to reintegrating Chilwell back into their squad in order to put him in the shop window for a January transfer.
WHAT MARESCA SAID
Maresca said: "Ben is one of the guys who was ready to leave, but he’s here and he’s training with us. He’s training well. He’s our player. The situation with him was very clear, but now the situation has changed a little bit. Game after game we are going to consider in case we are going to use him.”
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHILWELL AND CHELSEA?
Chilwell was not included in Chelsea's squad for their game against West Ham on Saturday but the 27-year-old will hope to play some part in the Carabao Cup tie against Barrow next week.
While Chelsea have had injury concerns on the right side of their defence, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella have given Maresca no reason to alternate things down the left so far, while summer signing Renato Veiga is still the Italian's go-to as a backup left-back, giving Chilwell a difficult task to break into the side.