Exclusive: £50m player really wants to leave Stamford Bridge, Chelsea believe an exit will happen soon

Yesterday at 11:15 AM

TBR Football understand Ben Chilwell is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge this month – with Chelsea believing an exit will happen soon.

So far this season, the England international has not played a single second of football under Enzo Maresca in the Premier League – having been exiled from the squad last summer when the Italian replaced Mauricio Pochettino.

The £50m man has only played 45 minutes of Carabao Cup action this term – not even making an appearance in the UEFA Conference League after being left out of that squad too.

Discussing the situation last week, Maresca said: “Ben has been top. I have to say that, he has been top. Very professional, works hard. I feel shame because of that situation but in terms of behaviour, he has been very good.”

“First of all because it is my choice (to not play him) and because I can see Malo Gusto, Reece James or Marc Cucurella doing different kind of jobs during the game.

“I think Chilwell is a top full-back, doing that job up and down and given the opportunity in the past to win titles and be in national team, but I struggle to see Ben doing different kind of things (such as inverted full-back).”

Now, sources close to Chelsea have shared an update with TBR Football on Ben Chilwell.

Both Ben Chilwell and Chelsea believe a loan exit is close

Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent at TBR Football – has now been told that the man born in Milton Keynes is really keen to leave Chelsea during this winter transfer window.

Both Chilwell and Chelsea believe a loan exit is close to materialising – with the Blues already carrying out work on a replacement more suited to what Maresca demands.

TBR Football understand Chelsea like Patrick Dorgu, and sent scouts to watch the Denmark international play for Lecce in their 3-1 win over Empoli on Saturday.

Sources add that Leicester City – who sold Chilwell to Chelsea in August 2020 – are keeping tabs on the situation.

Chelsea face competition from Manchester United for Patrick Dorgu

Chelsea are not the only side keen to sign the 20-year-old.

Sources have also informed TBR Football that Manchester United like Dorgu – and have been left impressed by the Lecce No.13 after sending scouts to watch him.

It is believed the Dane is viewed as an ideal fit for the 3-4-3 formation Ruben Amorim has brought to Old Trafford, a system which heavily relies on wing-backs marauding up and down the flanks.