Maresca must finally sell £50m Chelsea dud who earns more than Sesko & Olise combined

Chelsea is making swift moves this summer, actively gearing up for the next season. Mauricio Pochettino has already been succeeded by Enzo Maresca, and it appears highly likely that Tosin Adarabioyo will soon be donning the Blue jersey after a probable free transfer from Fulham.

Todd Boehly will need to invest significantly more in his upcoming targets, especially since Michael Olise and Benjamin Sesko are both highly valued. However, he will also have to offload some players, including one who earns a salary exceeding the combined earnings of Olise and Sesko. Speaking of expenditures, let’s not forget what Chelsea paid for Ben Chilwell. Like Chelsea’s new manager Maresca, Chilwell established himself as a standout player at Leicester City before joining Stamford Bridge. During the 2019/20 season, the left-back showcased his prowess in 27 starts, netting three goals, providing three assists, and contributing to nine clean sheets.

That summer, Chelsea came knocking and secured his services for £50m, signing a five-year deal that has since been extended until 2027.

Initially, Chilwell was extremely influential, once again starting 27 Premier League matches in his debut campaign, boasting an increased output of three goals and five assists.

Unfortunately, Ben Chilwell’s progress seems to have stalled since his arrival at Chelsea, leading to uncertainty about his future at the club. Despite being an England international, Chilwell only managed nine starts in the Premier League last season, largely due to recurring injury issues. In total, he missed a staggering 30 games across all competitions, raising doubts about his place in the starting lineup moving forward.

With Maresca being appointed, Chilwell must be fearing for his place in the team, given the Italian’s system doesn’t utilise a left-back in typical fashion.

In possession, the left back often tucks in to form a back three, with the right back inverting into midfield. This means that the 44-year-old often prefers a dynamic centre-back in the position, which suits Levi Colwill perfectly.

Considering his limited involvement last season, it’s challenging to understand why Chelsea still pays Ben Chilwell £200k-per-week. This places the 27-year-old defender as Chelsea’s joint-third highest earner, trailing only Raheem Sterling and Reece James. To put this into perspective, Chilwell earns more than the combined salaries of Chelsea’s two top targets, with Benjamin Sesko currently earning £57.9k per week and Michael Olise earning £100k per week. This stark contrast in wages raises questions about the club’s salary distribution and the value they place on Chilwell’s contributions.

In addition, Ben Chilwell holds the title of the highest-earning left-back in the entire Premier League, apart from Josko Gvardiol, with Marc Cucurella being the next highest earner at £175k-per-week, also a player at Chelsea. Given the persistent injury concerns and Chilwell’s struggle to fit into the current system, this summer presents an opportune moment for Chelsea to potentially recoup some of the £50m invested in him.

Certainly, there’s no denying Ben Chilwell’s capabilities as a dynamic full-back when he’s fully fit. However, even in optimal condition, he would find himself behind Marc Cucurella in the pecking order. This underscores the challenges Chilwell faces in reclaiming a prominent role within the team, further emphasizing the rationale behind potentially reassessing his future at Chelsea.

GET MORE NEWS HERE