Football
Exclusive: Crystal Palace Step Up Bid to Sign Ben Chilwell Permanently Amid Leeds Interest
Crystal Palace are keen on signing Ben Chilwell permanently, facing competition from Leeds United. Chilwell impressed on loan last season and is looking for a new club after being told he is surplus at Chelsea. Both teams are interested in him as a left-back option, with Leeds seeking cover for Junior Firpo. Chilwell enjoyed his time at Palace and is open to a permanent move, having been frozen out at Chelsea.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City - Emirates FA Cup Final by Sebastian Frej | Getty Images
Crystal Palace are ramping up their efforts to sign former loan star Ben Chilwell on a permanent contract, but they face stiff competition from Leeds United, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Chilwell impressed in his limited opportunities on loan with the Eagles last season and toasted sweet success as the club won the FA Cup.
And having been told he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Road, the experienced 28-year-old left-back is hungry to find a permanent home for the new season.
Chilwell had hoped to be part of Blues boss Enzo Maresca’s plans, but after the club confirmed his five-year stay at the club was coming to an end, Chilwell has been exploring his next move.
Palace have been admirers of the player for a long-time and would prefer a permament switch, although another loan spell is not out of the question as the defender has two years left on his Chelsea contract.
But promoted Leeds are also interested in signing him as they look to find a replacement for full-back Junior Firpo, who has been told he can leave this summer.
Firpo rejected a new deal to stay at Elland Road, with Whites’ manager Daniel Farke desperate to find cover ahead of the start of the new Premier League season next month.
Chillwell played 11 games on loan at Selhurst Park last season and has provided healthy competition with Tyrick Mitchell in that position.
He played eight games in the Premier League last term following his loan move and enjoyed his stint in South London.
"NO-BRAINER"
At the time Chilwell said it was a “no-brainer” to join the club having been frozen out in West London.
He joined Chelsea from Leicester City on a five-year deal for £45m in 2020, before extending his contract in April 2023.
The most recent of his 21 England caps came in a friendly in March 2024 against Belgium.
However, Chilwell was left out of Gareth Southgate's provisional 33-man England squad for Euro 2024 and has not played for the national side since.
"Crystal Palace is a club that's going in a great direction,” said Chilwell.
“I've loved it here. It’s such a good club. I knew and I'd heard from a few of the boys I knew here, and I spoke to Trev [Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah] and he said what a great club it was."
“Normally when you don't play as much football as you want, but I've really enjoyed it.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.