According to Metro, Wayne Bridge has issued a warning to Chelsea, suggesting they could regret parting ways with Ben Chilwell, who has unexpectedly become a target for Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Since joining Chelsea for £45 million from Leicester City in 2020, Chilwell has amassed over 100 appearances and played a pivotal role in the club's Champions League triumph in his debut season.
Despite being regarded as one of the top left-backs in the Premier League, the 27-year-old has struggled with injuries throughout his career, managing only seven league appearances in the 2021-22 season and 13 last term due to fitness issues.
Reports indicate uncertainty surrounding Chilwell's future at Chelsea following Enzo Maresca's appointment at Stamford Bridge. Maresca is reportedly keen on full-backs who can transition into midfield during possession.
Chelsea's pursuit of left-footed Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori in recent weeks could be perceived as a potential replacement for Chilwell, although Arsenal seem poised to secure Calafiori's services from Bologna.
Meanwhile, Manchester United, faced with injury setbacks to left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia last season, have shown interest in acquiring Chilwell.
Former Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge believes it would be unwise to offload Chilwell and suggests the England international could prove his worth during pre-season under Maresca.
"I'd look to keep him, but he just has to stay fit," Bridge, who made 142 appearances for Chelsea, commented in an interview with Betfred. "He's missed a lot of games for Chelsea but if he can stay fit, then I don't know why you'd want to get rid of him, unless there's something going on in the background that we don't know about."
Bridge emphasized Chilwell's potential to impress Maresca, asserting, "Ben has a lot of ability and is capable of proving himself, as long as he stays fit."
He acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Chilwell's situation but suggested that a player's performance could sway a manager's decision, adding, "If Ben does well, then he's still got a chance of remaining at Chelsea. There's not an abundance of left-backs out there and Ben's a great one."
Regarding the potential need for Chelsea to seek a replacement if Chilwell departs, Bridge mentioned Marc Cucurella as an option but acknowledged the challenges of adapting to a new club environment.
"It's hard, when you move clubs, to continue playing as well as you have been," Bridge remarked. "Just because you've done really well for one club doesn't mean that you're going to automatically click within another."
He concluded by expressing his preference for Chelsea to retain Chilwell over seeking alternatives, stating, "If the decision was mine, out of the two I'd be keeping Ben Chilwell."