Crystal Palace sprung a deadline‑day surprise by landing England left‑back Ben Chilwell on loan from Chelsea until June. No purchase obligation exists but Palace will cover 70 percent of his wages, offset by appearance bonuses. The 28‑year‑old featured only once under Enzo Maresca after recurring hamstring issues and sees Selhurst Park as the ideal stage to reignite his Euro 2028 hopes. Chilwell passed a late medical at Beckenham and joined training hours later.
Glasner plans to use him as an attacking wing‑back in a shape that morphs into a back three, freeing Tyrick Mitchell to tuck inside. Stat models show Palace generate 47 percent of chances down the left, and Chilwell’s 31 percent crossing accuracy since 2021 tops English full‑backs with 1,000‑plus minutes. Chelsea retain a January recall in case of an injury crisis, but Palace expect the defender to stay all season. Pundits praise the move as shrewd exploitation of a market where permanent fees for internationals are soaring.
Chilwell cited Selhurst Park’s noise and Glasner’s vertical football as key draws. If fitness holds, the signing could add a new dimension to Palace’s left flank and further showcase the club’s recruitment nous.
