Ben Chilwell reveals Oliver Glasner message persuaded him to leave Chelsea for Crystal Palace | OneFootball

The 28-year-old had been frozen out at Chelsea by Enzo Maresca

Chilwell was the Eagles’ deadline-day signing as he arrived at the club on a six-month straight loan from Chelsea.

The 28-year-old had been frozen out of the first team at Chelsea by manager Enzo Maresca, who did not see the Leicester City academy graduate as part of his plans for the season at Stamford Bridge.

Palace will pay around half of his wages until the end of the campaign.

The Eagles were intent on signing a left wing-back during the winter window to provide competition for Tyrick Mitchell, who was the only player at the club in that position until Chilwell’s arrival.

Chilwell, who joined Chelsea from the Foxes in 2020, has earned 21 caps for England, making his senior international debut shortly after the 2018 World Cup.

“I’m very excited,” the Champions League winner said. “I spoke to the manager [Glasner] and it is a club that are going in a great direction.

“You look at the last few months, with the results and how the team's playing, and with the players they’ve got, it was a no-brainer to make the decision to come here. I’m just really excited to get going.

Ben Chilwell is confident he can thrive under Oliver Glasner

REUTERS

“When it comes to the style of football that he [Glasner] wants to play — and obviously playing in a back five with wing-backs is something that I'm familiar with, I did it the season at Chelsea we won the Champions League — it's something that I enjoy.”

He added: “The attacking side of things suits me as a player, and he [Glasner] emphasised that it was something that he really wants from his wing-backs, which obviously excited me.

“As a team, I think his ambition, where he sees the club going, the players that he's got, and the direction that everyone's working towards, it really excited me hearing that from him.

“It was something I mentioned to the manager. I didn't want to come in and help just on the pitch, I also wanted to help off the pitch. I look at my last few years at Chelsea, where I've become one of the more experienced players, and it's something that I've taken on and enjoyed.

“I think coming into the squad, especially playing a system which I've been successful playing in before, it's a good opportunity for me to not just help on the pitch, but off the pitch as well, and help the younger boys and everyone generally with the experiences that I've had.