A former Premier League star has called on Ben Chilwell to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window, warning that staying at Stamford Bridge could harm his career.
Chilwell joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2020 for £45 million and has since made 107 appearances. However, he has been largely sidelined this season, featuring just once under manager Enzo Maresca.
Despite Maresca’s summer warning that the 27-year-old should seek regular game time elsewhere, Chilwell chose to remain at the club.
In a brief recall, Maresca brought Chilwell on during the second half of a Carabao Cup match against Barrow, but the England international hasn’t featured since. Ex-Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro, who played nearly 200 games for the club, believes Chilwell should prioritize his future by moving on.
Speaking to Ladbrokes, Babayaro said: “I love Ben Chilwell—he’s one of my favorite left-backs. But he needs to consider his career. He’s not getting younger, and if he isn’t playing games, he needs to move.” Babayaro also noted that while many Chelsea players are recent signings unlikely to leave, Chilwell’s lack of opportunities makes him an exception.
Babayaro questioned Chelsea’s decision to appoint Enzo Maresca last summer but admitted the manager had impressed during his first season. The Blues emerged as title contenders before a poor festive period left them 10 points behind league leaders Liverpool.
“Maresca’s start raised eyebrows, but he got the team playing well,” Babayaro added. “However, Chelsea’s recent performances have been inconsistent, and Maresca needs to keep his squad firing to finish in the top four.”
The former Nigeria international praised Maresca’s tactical approach, referencing his success at Leicester, but advised the Chelsea boss to rethink his post-match comments. “Chelsea is not a mid-table club. We should be dominating games and pushing for trophies. The top four is non-negotiable.”
With Chelsea currently in the Conference League but aiming for Champions League qualification, Babayaro believes pressure will mount on Maresca if he fails to secure a top-four finish. “Chelsea belongs at the highest level. Anything less than the Champions League is unacceptable.”
As Chelsea battles to regain consistency, the future of players like Chilwell remains uncertain. For the England left-back, a January move could be the key to revitalizing his career.