Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca owns up to 'mistake' he made just weeks after joining Blues

Enzo Maresca has admitted to making a 'mistake' by leaving Ben Chilwell out in the cold just weeks after taking over at Chelsea. The defender was put up for sale in the summer but ended up staying at Stamford Bridge and appears to have been given a lifeline.

Chilwell was initially told by Maresca that he would struggle for minutes this season, paving the way for him to leave the club. The Blues were desperate to offload him but a permanent exit failed to materialise before a loan move to Turkey fell through.

The 27-year-old was named on the bench against Barrow in midweek, coming on at half-time and taking the captain's armband for the second half. Discussing his situation on Friday, Maresca suggested he had made a mistake by judging Chilwell too quickly.

"In the moment we need him, for sure," said the Chelsea boss when asked if Chilwell was back in his first-team plans. "Why not? I will say again in the moment he is with us, he is one of the Chelsea players and one of our players.

"If we need him, we will give him chances and minutes. We all make mistakes. I had to make a decision. Sometimes they are good and sometimes not. There is not any bad intention from me, it was just to try and think of the best thing for the club."

MORE TO FOLLOW

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures, and video on this breaking news story.

Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @DExpress_Sport - the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account - providing real news in real-time.

We're also on Facebook @DailyExpressSport - offering your must-see news, features, videos, and pictures throughout the day to like, comment, and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express, and Express.co.uk.