Ben Chilwell is hoping to be included in Chelsea’s 25-man Premier League squad, with the left-back not expected to move on loan to Turkey.
Chelsea must submit their Premier League squad on Friday and Chilwell could be included, despite being frozen out of head coach Enzo Maresca’s plans until now.
The club had been open to loaning Chilwell out, but with the Turkish transfer window due to close without any deal agreed, the former England international will remain at Stamford Bridge until at least January.
Chilwell has not been kept fully away from the first-team squad, as other players were. He has trained away from the first team when Maresca has a full squad of players, but has been brought back when there have been injuries or absences to help make up the numbers.
It is unclear whether Chilwell will return to first-team training full-time if he is included in Chelsea’s Premier League squad, for which he counts as a homegrown player.
Chilwell was surprised to be left out of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League squad, but being included in the 25-man Premier League squad would spare him further disappointment.
Maresca had warned that Chilwell and any other unwanted players could not expect to play at all if they did not secure moves away. But there is also acknowledgement that the 27-year-old has done nothing to warrant being punished and has not turned down any opportunities to leave Chelsea.
Fofana facing exit
Chelsea will also be aware that Chilwell has not played a senior game since April and that completely ruling out his chances of playing any football until January would make it even harder for them to find a move for him in the next transfer window.
Even if he is not named in the Premier League squad, Chilwell would remain eligible to play in the Carabao Cup, in which Chelsea face Barrow on Sept 24.
While Chilwell is going nowhere for now, David Datro Fofana could move to Turkey before its transfer window closes on Friday. The Ivorian striker, 21, had a move to Greek club AEK Athens fall through, but the intention remains for him to leave Chelsea.
