Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has spoken candidly about his challenging final months at Stamford Bridge, revealing the isolation he endured under manager Enzo Maresca before securing a loan move to Crystal Palace in the January transfer window. The 28-year-old left-back, once a key figure in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2021, opened up about training alone for months and the emotional toll it took as he found himself sidelined from the first-team picture.
Chilwell’s departure from Chelsea came after a dramatic fall from grace under Maresca’s management. Having joined the Blues from Leicester City in 2020 for £50 million, the England international was a regular starter and fan favorite in his early years at the club. However, injuries and a shift in tactical philosophy saw his role diminish significantly. By the summer of 2024, Maresca made it clear that Chilwell was not part of his plans, a decision that left the player in limbo as the season progressed.
“I spent months training on my own,” Chilwell revealed in an interview with Goal.com. “It’s tough when you’ve given everything for a club, and then suddenly you’re not even in the conversation. I understood the manager had his vision, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”
The defender’s exile was starkly illustrated by his limited game time this season. Prior to his loan move, Chilwell had made just one appearance for Chelsea—a 45-minute outing in a 5-0 League Cup win over Barrow in September 2024. Beyond that, he was excluded from Premier League squads and left to train separately from his teammates, a situation that Maresca himself acknowledged as difficult but necessary.
“Ben’s been top, I have to say that,” Maresca commented earlier this season when addressing Chilwell’s professionalism amid the uncertainty. “It’s probably better he goes and finds minutes elsewhere.” That opportunity finally materialized on deadline day in February 2025, when Crystal Palace swooped in to secure Chilwell on loan until the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Since arriving at Selhurst Park, Chilwell has rediscovered his footing, quickly becoming a vital part of Oliver Glasner’s squad. The left-back has featured in five matches for Palace, including a full 90-minute performance in an FA Cup clash against Millwall, earning praise from fans and teammates alike. His move has also sparked discussions about a potential permanent transfer, with Palace supporters urging the club to “sign him right this second” following his impressive displays.
Reflecting on his fresh start, Chilwell expressed gratitude for the chance to prove himself again. “Crystal Palace gave me an opportunity to get back to playing, to feel part of a team again,” he said. “The squad here is exciting, and the direction the club is heading made it an easy choice. I just want to help them achieve great things.”