Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has said it would be more beneficial for Ben Chilwell to leave the club to find playing time while Chelsea adjust to their overcrowded squad.
Maresca suggested the defender will struggle for minutes ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener against Manchester City.
Chelsea have 43 first-team players after completing their 10th summer signing earlier this week, meaning Chilwell could become surplus to requirements for the 2024-25 season.
The 27-year-old, who usually plays at left-back for Chelsea, fell down the pecking order following the arrival of Spaniard Marc Cucurella in 2022. Chilwell was sidelined through injury last season, making 21 appearances in all competitions.
Chilwell signed for Chelsea from Leicester City in 2020 and his contract runs until 2027.
“Cold [Chilwell] “He hasn't trained in the last few days because he's been ill,” Maresca told reporters. “It's pretty clear, I love the way he is, but the problem is that he's having a bit of trouble finding his best position with us.”
“This morning we had 22 players training and if you ask them all they will say they want to play against City on Sunday, but that is impossible.
“When they train every day and don't get minutes, it's not good for them or for me, [as] I need to make a decision. It's probably better for me to leave and get minutes. [elsewhere]”The transfer window is open, so we'll see what happens.”
