Ben Chilwell could make shock Premier League return in deadline day move out of nowhere

Crystal Palace are exploring a move for ex-Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell, talkSPORT understands.

The England left-back joined BlueCo-owned Strasbourg on Transfer Deadline Day last year, having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge.

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Chilwell penned a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 side last year, almost a year on from his last appearance for Chelsea.

The defender was frozen out by former Blues boss Enzo Maresca, and spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Crystal Palace.

Familiar face

Palace now appear to be keen on bringing Chilwell back to Selhurst Park for a second spell.

talkSPORT understands the Eagles want to complete a late Deadline Day switch for the 29-year-old.

Despite their interest, is not currently clear if the Premier League outfit are considering a loan or a permanent move for Chilwell.

Palace’s interest in the defender comes as they continue to assess their options ahead of the end of the transfer window.

The south London outfit have been in a period of transition this summer, with Pierre Sage taking over from Oliver Glasner in the dugout.

They have had to deal with major departures too, with Maxence Lacroix moved to Chelsea in a deal worth £52million, before Daniel Munoz left to join Glasner at Nottingham Forest.

Palace have strengthened their back line by bringing in proven Premier League experience in Takehiro Tomiyasu and Axel Disasi.

But after losing their opening two league games under Sage, they could now look to bolster their ranks further by making a late play for Chilwell.

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During his loan spell at the club in 2025, he made 11 appearances and completed a Premier League game just once.

Ben Chilwell’s career

Should Chilwell seal a return to Selhurst Park, it would see him come back to English football after just a year at Strasbourg.

The Leicester academy graduate was one of six players to depart Chelsea to join their Ligue 1 sister club last summer, as he was convinced to join the club by then manager Liam Rosenior.

He enjoyed a resurgence campaign at Strasbourg, making 34 appearances in all competitions – his most since the 2020/21 season.

Chilwell also played a significant role in Strasbourg’s historic Conference League run, featuring nine times as they reached their first ever European semi-final before being beaten by Rayo Vallecano in the last four.

The defender first made a name for himself at Leicester, as he graduated from the club’s youth ranks to become a highly-rated left-back in the Premier League.

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He made 123 appearances for the Foxes, scoring four goals, and made his senior England debut in 2018 whilst at the club.

In 2020, Chilwell joined Chelsea in a deal worth up to £50million, penning a five year deal.

His first season at Stamford Bridge was his most successful, as he featured 43 times in all competitions – including playing ten games in the Blues’ victorious Champions League campaign.

However, Chilwell’s time in west London was hampered by injuries, which caused him to miss 110 games in his five years at the club.

The arrival of Enzo Maresca as head coach in the summer of 2024 all but spelled the end of his Chelsea career, as he played just once under the Italian in the Carabao Cup before leaving to join Palace on loan, with his permanent exit following last summer.