Chelsea star linked with a surprise move to Newcastle United amid interest from Manchester United - Reports
Newcastle United have emerged as a likely destination for Chelsea star Ben Chilwell this summer. It comes in the wake of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the England international.
Chilwell has found himself down the pecking order at left-back under new head coach Enzo Maresca, with the duo of Marc Cucurella and Renato Viega looking like outright favourites.
Blues manager Maresca has also hinted that Chilwell has found it a bit difficult to fit in with how he wants the team to play this season.
The Chelsea vice-captain has also struggled with injuries in recent seasons, making it difficult for him to nail down a starting position at left-back on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, according to Caught Offside, Newcastle United have discussed the possibility of signing Chilwell from Chelsea this summer.
The Magpies are reportedly in the market for a new centre-back but are believed to still have eyes on signing a left-back, with Chilwell being the option currently discussed.
However, Eddie Howe's side isn't expected to have a free run at the player's signature, as fellow PL side Manchester United have also been rumoured to be monitoring Chilwell's situation.
Enzo Maresca provides an update on Chelsea defender's future at the club
The Italian tactician has hinted that it could be best for the club's vice-captain to leave this summer in a bid to secure playing time.
Maresca is well known for inverting his fullbacks to drift into midfield, a role that clearly suits Cucurella and even new signing Viega over Chilwell.
This raised huge question marks over the chances of the 27-year-old left-back gaining much game time under Maresca this season. When asked about why Chilwell didn't feature in Chelsea's final pre-season game, Maresca said:
"Chilly [Chilwell] is with us but he has not been training for the last few days because he has been ill. The reason he did not play versus Inter was because, with Chilly it is quite clear, even though I love the way he is, the problem is, he is struggling a bit to find the right position.
Maresca continued:
"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. When you train every day and do not get any minutes, it is not good for them or for me. I need to make a decision and probably it is better to leave and go and get minutes. The transfer window is open, so we’ll see what happens.”
With Chilwell attracting interest, it will be interesting to see if the English defender eventually leaves Chelsea this summer.