Ben Chilwell given surprise Chelsea transfer escape route before January deadline
Premier League side Crystal Palace are reportedly showing an interest in Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell before the deadline.
Clubs have until Monday to complete their business for the winter window, with Chilwell one of the players who could leave Chelsea before the 11pm deadline. The left-back was frozen out of the first team picture by Enzo Maresca back in the summer.
Despite links with a move away then, he remained at Stamford Bridge, but has played just 4 minutes of first team football this season. His one appearance coming in the Carabao Cup third round win against Barrow.
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Palace are on the search for a left-back before the end of the window with Tyrick Mitchell currently their only natural option in the position. Former Premier League scout Mick Brown has said what he’s heard about interest in Chilwell.
“I’ve heard Palace have shown an interest in Ben Chilwell,” he told Football Insider .“We’ve spoken before about Tyrick Mitchell and his future, and whether clubs could be interested in him.
“And a new left-back is something Palace have been looking to bring in because they haven’t got a lot of depth in that position.
“It wasn’t long ago he was an England international, and I don’t know the extent of his injury issues and what they’ve meant for him, but Palace will know all about it. It’s getting late in the transfer window as well, so options are limited.
“The opportunity to bring him in on loan has also come up since Chalobah went back to Chelsea.
“He’d do a good job for Palace. He’d be a good fit in their side. Plus, he lives in London so it’s a move that would suit all three parties.“
A loan deal that would see the left-back move to Selhurst Park is now possible following the recall of Trevoh Chalobah. Premier League rules allow just one loan from on Premier League club to another, with Chalobah’s return to Chelsea opening up the possibility of another Blues’ player heading to Palace before the end of the window.
