After five years on the books at Stamford Bridge, Ben Chilwell is no longer a Chelsea player.
The Blues confirmed via X on Monday’s deadline day that Ben Chilwell, 28, has joined sister club Strasbourg on a permanent basis.
There were shock transfer links between Coventry City and Chilwell this summer, but the experienced left-back has moved to France’s top division for the first time in his career.
Chelsea fans raging with Ben Chilwell announcement
It’s been quite obvious that Chilwell could exit Stamford Bridge for quite a while because he’s not been in Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans. In fact, he was loaned out to Crystal Palace during the second half of last season.
But Chelsea supporters on social media are furious with the way that the club announced Chilwell’s permanent exit, claiming that the English defender deserved a much bigger send off for what he achieved in West London.
One fan wrote: “Won the European Cup. Deserves a far better send off than that!”
“This was such a pathetic farewell as well,” another posted.
One supporter commented: “Can do a better send off.”
“Is that it? He was instrumental for us on our 20/21 Champions League winning season. Deserved more, top defender,” another said.
It’s good news that Chilwell’s £200,000-a-week salary at Chelsea has now disappeared, but we agree with disgruntled supporters that say the club should have given him a bigger exit announcement.
Ben Chilwell was outstanding in his prime
In the early stages of his Chelsea career, Chilwell was a phenomenal full-back in the XI.
The best we saw of him came when he shone as a left wing-back under Thomas Tuchel, which included winning the 2021 Champions League. While he was flying up and down the left flank, teammate Reece James was doing the same on the right.
| Appearances | Goal | Assists | Yellow cards | Red cards | Trophies |
| 107 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 1 | 3 |
Even though injuries ended up wrecking his Blues career, we would still class his signing from Leicester City as a success. He’s in a small club of individuals to win the Champions League as a Chelsea player.
Gabriel Agbonlahor wants Chilwell to start playing regularly again, something he will look to achieve in France with Strasbourg.
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