Romano reveals Chilwell transfer stance after Chelsea U-turn

Tom Weber

Updated: 14 Sept 2024 19:11 BST
3 min read

Ben Chilwell, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Ben Chilwell was determined not to be forced out by Chelsea in the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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Last season's vice-captain suddenly found himself on the outside looking in when Enzo Maresca succeeded Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge earlier this summer.

There were concerns that Chilwell would not fit the Italian's new style of play and Maresca made no secret of the fact that he subscribed to this idea, publically telling the former England star to find a new club.

Chilwell was eventually added to Chelsea's 'Bomb Squad,' the group of unwanted players that were made train away from the first team to force them into finding a new club.

However, unlike the other outcasts, the 27-year-old did not depart west London and, truth be told, there was not a whole lot of interest in his services due to his being an injury-prone player on a big salary.

Chilwell only wanted 'important proposals'

Recently, Maresca essentially admitted defeat and handed Chilwell a lifeline, stating that "he’s going to start to train with us" because "we didn’t find any solution."

Chilwell will thus be reintegrated into the Blues squad and Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the left-back was determined not to leave his lucrative contract for inferior offers during the summer.

“This summer there were clubs interested in Ben Chilwell, but the player wasn’t simply going to accept everything just because Chelsea wanted him to find a solution,” Romano told CaughtOffside.

“He only wanted to accept important proposals and he’s prepared to fight to get back into Maresca’s thoughts as a concrete option for the starting XI as soon as possible. It’s something we should all respect. There are contracts in football and sometimes players are not willing to leave.”

Read more about: Premier League, Chelsea, Ben Chilwell