Will Ben Chilwell be given a chance to shine or shown the exit door in January window?

Ben Chilwell faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge as the club prepares to invite offers for him in the upcoming January transfer window. Despite his recent return to first-team action under manager Enzo Maresca, Chilwell's long-term prospects at the club remain in doubt.

The England international's summer was marked by speculation over his future, with Chelsea actively seeking to sell him. Maresca openly admitted that Chilwell did not feature in his plans, resulting in the player being frozen out of the squad.

However, a move failed to materialise, and Chilwell made a surprise comeback in a 5-0 Carabao Cup victory over Barrow, hinting at a potential revival in his Chelsea career.

Maresca's comments regarding Chilwell have undergone a notable shift over time. Initially resolute in his desire to move the player on, the manager has since acknowledged Chilwell's professionalism and the value he could bring to the team. "As long as Chilly is with us, he is a Chelsea player," Maresca recently stated, suggesting a hint of regret over his earlier stance.

Despite this apparent change in tone, Chilwell remains excluded from Chelsea's UEFA Conference League squad, indicating that his playing opportunities may still be limited. Reports suggest that the player is keen to remain in the Premier League if he does leave Chelsea, having spent the majority of his career in England. Clubs such as Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town have been linked with interest in securing his services.

Will Ben Chilwell be given a chance to shine or shown the exit door in January window?

Chelsea are exploring options to bolster their defensive line. The club has shown interest in RB Leipzig's Castello Lukeba, although he would not serve as a direct replacement for Chilwell. Lukeba's potential arrival could provide additional defensive cover for the team.

Chilwell's journey at Chelsea has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, from the elation of Champions League success to the frustration of injury setbacks and managerial changes. His future at the club remains shrouded in uncertainty, but his situation is likely to be one of the key talking points of the upcoming transfer window.

Chelsea's efforts to offload Chilwell during the summer included discussions with Brentford and several clubs in the Turkish Super Lig. However, none of these talks resulted in a successful transfer. Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe were among the clubs that expressed interest in the left-back but ultimately decided against pursuing a deal.