Ben Chilwell has been handed a Chelsea lifeline after head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed he is under consideration for selection after returning to training with the first team. The England defender appeared to have no future at Stamford Bridge in August when he was not included in the core group of 22 or 23 players the Italian considered to be his first-team squad,

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca believes players are right to complain about the intense schedule and says going on strike may be one of their options to change things. Player welfare has become an escalating concern,

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his belief that players are offered no protection by the football calendar and added that players voicing their concerns over the number of games they play is "a good starting point.