Chilwell's Chelsea nightmare ENDS as 'confidence' grows

Tom Weber

Updated: 1 Feb 2025 10:41 CST
3 min read

Crystal Palace are confident of striking a loan deal for Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell, according to reports.

The former England international has been on the outside looking in under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea. In the summer, Chilwell was made part of the Blues' 'Bomb Squad' but failed to secure a transfer.

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He has since featured just once, in the Carabao Cup, and has been expected to leave Chelsea all window. However, with the February 3 deadline quickly approaching, it initially appeared as though his nightmare would continue as interest was few and far between.

But alas, a late exit route has at last appeared for the left-back with Crystal Palace making contact for Chilwell late on Friday, according to TheSecretScout. The interest from the Eagles has since been confirmed by The Athletic and journalist Ben Jacobs.

Chilwell to join Crystal Palace?

Palace are sounding out the possibility of a late loan swoop for Chilwell and TheSecretScout reports that there is confidence at Selhurst Park that an agreement can be reached.

Talks are ongoing to determine the exact formula of the deal, with Chelsea likely having to shoulder a significant portion of his wages. The relationship between the two clubs is good due to previous transfers and despite the fact that Chelsea recalled Trevoh Chalobah earlier in the window, much to the dismay of Palace boss Oliver Glasner.

Whether Palace will have an option to purchase the 28-year-old is still up in the air. Jacobs, meanwhile, adds that the current priority for the Eagles remains to add a centre-back first and foremost, although a move for Chilwell can't be discounted.

With the window closing on Monday, February 3, a final decision is expected to be made shortly to avoid a repeat of the summer, which left Chilwell languishing in the stands at Stamford Bridge.