Ben Chilwell has received word from former England midfielder Danny Murphy that he “will not play” for Chelsea under new manager Enzo Maresca and should start seeking for a new team this summer.
Since joining the Blues in 2020 after a £45 million transfer from Leicester City, Chilwell has appeared in over 100 games.
The 27-year-old had two injury-plagued seasons at Stamford Bridge, but when healthy and on the ball, he is considered one of the greatest left players in the Premier League.
Marc Cucurella, who had a rough start to his time in west London, had the opportunity to revitalize his Chelsea career thanks to his absence for a large portion of the previous year. The Spaniard excelled and won over Blues supporters.
Cucurella’s rise continued at Euro 2024 where he starred in Spain’s European Championship victory, playing almost every minute for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
Given the trajectory of both Cucurella and Chilwell, Murphy cannot see the latter starting for Chelsea this season and believes he may need to find a new club.
Chelsea are certainly willing to cash in on some first-team players given their extraordinary spending spree and Manchester United were linked with a move for Chilwell earlier in the summer.
‘He’s not going to play,’ Murphy said on talkSPORT when Chilwell was named as a potential leader in Chelsea’s young and inexperienced squad.
‘[Marc] Cucurella is going to play after the Euros he had and the end of the season he had. I think Chelsea fans would rather have Cucurella now.’
Asked where that leaves Chilwell, Murphy added: ‘Picking up his dough and waiting for a move.’
Murphy slams Chelsea transfer strategy
Wolves star Pedro Neto became Chelsea’s latest summer signing earlier this week and joins the likes of Omari Kellyman, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Filip Jorgensen in arriving at Stamford Bridge.
Murphy has described Chelsea’s transfer strategy as ‘nonsensical’ and believes the Blues are set for another difficult season.
‘I’ve never seen anything like it in my life,’ he said. ‘It’s absolutely nonsensical.
‘The guys in charge of recruitment are either being told what to do or they don’t know what they’re doing, it’s one or the other. How can it be logical or financially viable to do what they’re doing?’
Asked where he expects Chelsea to finish this season, Murphy added: ‘Eighth? Seventh or eighth.’
Maresca’s reign as Chelsea manager begins on Sunday when the Blues welcome Premier League champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge.