Ben Chilwell has been named in a Chelsea matchday squad for the first time by Enzo Maresca since the head coach told the left-back he should try to find another club in the summer.
Chilwell, 27, is in line to feature during Chelsea’s Carabao Cup third round game at home against League Two Barrow tomorrow night.
The England international’s Chelsea career looked over a month ago as he was made to train with other fringe players away from the first team in what became referred to as ‘the bomb squad’.
Before the club’s opening game of the Premier League season, Maresca described the left back’s situation at Stamford Bridge as “quite clear” and that it was probably “better to leave and go and get minutes.”
Chilwell was left out of Chelsea’s squad list for the UEFA Qualifying group phase, although was added to the Premier League squad after he failed to get a move away.
Midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is also included by Maresca for the first time this season, while academy players Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George have been called up as well.
Maresca said: “Some we will see if they start from the beginning. If not they will be on the bench and hopefully, we will give them some minutes.”
Meanwhile, Maresca believes Barrow is one of the toughest draw Chelsea could have got despite the two clubs being separated by 64 places in the football pyramid.
Chelsea are currently fifth in the Premier League, but Barrow are high on confidence sitting top of League Two and go to Stamford Bridge knowing all the pressure will be on the home side to progress.
Maresca said: “It’s dangerous also because football is full of these kind of games. You think it will be an easy game and then it’s a tricky game.
“In this moment, it is probably the worst game for us. It would be better another type of game. We cannot allow ourselves to drop a little bit.”
(Julian Finney/Getty Images)
