Romano CONFIRMS surprise Chelsea transfer
Crystal Palace have reached a full agreement to sign Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell on loan until the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
The former England international has only made one appearance under Enzo Maresca so far this season and he is now on the verge of completing a short-term move to Selhurst Park, according to multiple reports.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal with a post that read: “Ben Chilwell, set for medical tests now at Crystal Palace to join the club on loan.
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“Chelsea approved all documents now waiting for medical and then sign. Here we go.”
Chilwell is expected to compete with Tyrick Mitchell for a starting left wing-back berth at Selhurst Park, although he may find it difficult to usurp the talented 25-year-old.
Mitchell has been linked with a number of top clubs over the past few months, including Atletico Madrid, and Chilwell therefore isn’t guaranteed to become an immediate starter upon his arrival.
Chilwell’s imminent move to Palace comes after Chelsea recalled Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell with Oliver Glasner’s side in early January, with the Blues taking drastic action following injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
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Ben Chilwell to leave Chelsea
Chilwell has been a key figure for the majority of his Chelsea career, however he has fallen out of favour since the appointment of Maresca last summer.
The ex-Leicester City boss has preferred Marc Cucurella at left-back so far this term, and Chilwell hasn’t been included in a single Premier League matchday squad since the beginning of the season.
It looked as though he was set to remain on the sidelines until July, amid very little interest in his services, but Crystal Palace have pushed to finalise a deal and Chilwell will link up with Oliver Glasner’s side for the next four months.
The former England star has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has fallen to just €11.1 million.
