Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Ben Chilwell likely to leave; Blues slammed for Conor Gallagher decision, and more - August 17, 2024
Chelsea are putting together final preparations ahead of their Premier League season opener against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 18. The Blues will hope to start the campaign with a bang by upsetting the reigning champions.
Meanwhile, new boss Enzo Maresca has suggested that defender Ben Chilwell's time at the club could be coming to an end this summer. Elsewhere, the Blues have been criticised for their decision to offload midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer.
On that note, here's a look at the key Chelsea transfer stories as on August 17, 2024:
Ben Chilwell likely to leave Chelsea
Enzo Maresca has hinted that Ben Chilwell could be on his way this summer. The English left-back has failed to live up to expectations since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Leicester City in 2020.
His time at Chelsea has been marred with injuries, and the club are apparently ready to let him go now. Marc Cucurella has been in fine form this year and is likely to be the preferred left-back under Maresca.
Speaking to the press, as cited by ESPN, Maresca admitted that it could be better for Chilwell to leave in search of regular football.
"Chilly (Chilwell) has not been training for the last few days because he has been ill. It's quite clear, I love the way he is, but the problem is that he struggles with us a little bit to find his best position.
"This morning, we had 22 players training, and if you ask all of them, they will say they want to play against City on Sunday, but that is impossible," said Maresca.
He continued:
"When they train every day and do not get any minutes, it is not good for them or for me, (as) I need to make a decision. It is probably better to leave and get minutes (elsewhere). The transfer window is open, so we'll see what happens."
The 27-year-old is under contract at Stamford Bridge till 2027.
Blues slammed for Conor Gallagher decision by former player
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has slammed the club for opting to offload Conor Gallagher this summer. The English midfielder has entered the final year of his contract with the Blues but hasn't agreed a new deal yet.
The London giants reportedly struck a deal with Atletico Madrid for the 24-year-old. The player agreed to join the La Liga giants and had even flown to Spain for his medical.
However, the transfer hit a standstill, and Gallagher is back at Chelsea. He's still expected to leave before the end of the transfer window, along with Trevoh Chalobah, though.
On The Obi Wan podcast, Mikel was full of praise for the English duo.
“Now, you have to sell, for me the best player last season apart from Cole Palmer, (which) was Conor Gallagher.
"He was the only player you could see was putting in effort, running and putting in the performances that was needed to be at the club, you know what I mean," said Mikel.
He continued:
“For me, I think he should still be at the club. Also Chalobah as well for me when he came back from his injury. He was the best centre-back we had.
"I don’t think we lost a game when he came back or probably one or two or something like that. But he was absolutely fantastic when he came back from injury and he played all the games."
Mikel went on to add that allowing two academy graduates to leave is a wrong decision.
“Poch trusted him and brought him into the team, and he played all the games. He was absolutely fantastic. Now we have to sell those two players to balance the books.
"Two young players who bleed Chelsea, and now you have to sell them to balance the books. I just think it’s bad business from the owners. Absolutely bad business from the owners," said Mikel.
Gallagher also has admirers at Tottenham Hotspur, who could attempt to prise him away this summer.
Former player backs Pedro Neto to excel at Stamford Bridge
Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Pedro Neto could be a hit with Chelsea. The Portuguese forward joined the Blues from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer.
Neto was in fine form for the Midlands club last season, registering three goals and 11 assists in 24 games across competitions. While his injury history remains a concern, there's no doubt about the 24-year-old's qualities. The Gunners were also linked with a move for Neto earlier this summer, but a transfer never materialised.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson said that the Portuguese could have been a fine fit for his former side as well.
“Someone else who I think can do really well is Pedro Neto at Chelsea. At the start of the summer, I thought he’d be a great signing for Arsenal.
"He suits them down to the ground and is a player that could have taken the load off Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. So, that deal shocked me. If Chelsea can keep him fit, I think it is an incredible signing,” said Merson.
Neto is under contract at Stamford Bridge till 2031.