Enzo Maresca hands Ben Chilwell lifeline with Premier League squad spot

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed Ben Chilwell will be part of his Premier League squad this season.

The Blues must confirm their final Premier League squad on Friday and there was real uncertainty over Chilwell, who was publicly urged to leave Chelsea this summer when Maresca admitted he prefers a different style of left-back.

After a summer exit failed to materialise, the threat of purgatory loomed over Chilwell, but Maresca has now confirmed he will remain part of the senior squad.

Asked directly whether Chilwell will be in Friday's 25-man squad, Maresca responded: "Yes."

The boss continued: "He is probably going to be back with us in a training session, we will see, because right now he is not training with us.

"The reason why he is training apart is because the idea was for him to leave but because he didn't find a solution, he is probably going to start to train with us. In the moment, if we decide that, he is going to be one of the players. He is good. He is not training with us but I saw him this morning. He is okay."

Another player welcomed back in from the cold is midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka who, like Chilwell, was encouraged to explore a move away from Chelsea by Maresca.

"I said already to him personally, and to you in the press conference: I really, really like Carney," Maresca stressed. "The problem is that we have so many attacking midfielders that he is going to struggle to find space. Because of his past, in terms of injuries, the best thing to do was to go and prove himself that he is fit and can play 30 or 35 games and then come back here.

"Unfortunately we didn't find any solutions and now he is one of the players in our squad and we can use him."

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