Chelsea Pulls Off Stunning U-Turn, Bringing Back Star Player Just 33 Days After Departure While Ben Chilwell Secures Fresh Start
Following the confirmation of Ben Chilwell's permanent transfer to Strasbourg, Chelsea announced they have also brought back another left-back, Ishé Samuels-Smith, from the French club.
Chilwell had been an important player for Chelsea after his £45 million ($60.9 million) move from Leicester City in 2020, however he found himself sidelined by current manager Enzo Maresca following his appointment last summer. The Blues boss publicly admitted that Chilwell was unlikely to feature under his management due to his tactical preference for a different type of full-back.
Following a period on the sidelines during the first portion of last season, Chilwell moved to Crystal Palace on loan for the remainder of the campaign, before returning to Chelsea this summer requiring another transfer solution. With minimal interest in the well-paid player, it was announced on Transfer Deadline Day that Chelsea had agreed to send Chilwell to Strasbourg, their affiliated club, on a permanent transfer.
"We express our gratitude to Chilly for his contributions during his tenure at the club and wish him success as he begins a new phase in his career," Chelsea stated as Chilwell penned a two-year deal in France.
Chilwell became the second left-back to move from Chelsea to Strasbourg this summer, following promising 19-year-old Ishé Samuels-Smith, who completed a permanent transfer earlier in the summer window in a deal reportedly valued at £6.5 million.
Samuels-Smith was omitted from the matchday squad for three of Strasbourg's opening five fixtures of the current season and it was subsequently announced that he would make room for Chilwell by moving to Swansea City on loan.
That loan move to the Swans has now been officially confirmed, but not before Chelsea announced that Samuels-Smith has returned to the club on a permanent basis.
Samuels-Smith spent slightly more than one month at Strasbourg, having joined permanently on July 30, but will now resume his career back in English football.