“Positive debut” – Chelsea loanee could have worked well in Maresca’s system following manager’s comments | OneFootball

Ben Chilwell made his Crystal Palace debut on Monday night in the FA Cup against Doncaster Rovers, and Oliver Glasner highlighted his strengths.

Enzo Maresca simply didn’t take to Chilwell and it was clear from pre-season the 28-year-old wouldn’t be part of Chelsea’s plans for this campaign.

Chilwell was sent to train with the “bomb” squad, but when a summer exit failed to materialise he went back to training with the first team.

Glasner on Chilwell debut

The left back played just 45 minutes of football over the first half of the campaign against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.

It looked like Chilwell might remain at Chelsea, but he secured a deadline day loan move to Palace and will have the chance to play regular football.

Chilwell made his Palace debut as the Eagles advanced past Doncaster and into the fifth round of the FA Cup, and Glasner gave an interesting assessment of his performance.

Ben Chilwell in action for Crystal Palace against Doncaster Rovers. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“He needs this game time, he’s training with us for just one week,” he told South London News.

“Tyrick [Mitchell] did well, there was no reason but we wanted to give Ben some minutes and solutions.

“He was a little bit too passive in defending so they could pass in behind. This is what we are doing differently but you could see he is comfortable in possession, in passing.

“A little more attacking than Tyrick, but this is what we were looking for, so a positive debut.”

With Chelsea letting Renato Veiga go on loan to Juventus there’s no left back cover for Marc Cucurella, although the Blues are said to believe Reece James and Malo Gusto can fill in there.

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You can’t help but feel Chilwell could have done a job and provided cover over the second half of the campaign, and you would have thought he’d be able to adapt to the role.

Chilwell will inevitably be sold in the summer, with the Blues hoping he does well at Palace to attract more suitors and increase his transfer value.