Ishe Samuels-Smith's bizarre exit and return to Chelsea explained amid Ben Chilwell sale
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Credit: Imago
Jack Heath
Tue 2 September 2025 19:26, UK
Ishe Samuels-Smith’s strange hokey-cokey to and from Chelsea has been clarified following the sale of Ben Chilwell to Strasbourg.
The Blues had an emphatic transfer window as they managed to ship off unwanted players and bring in high quality talent including Brazilian superstar Joao Pedro to Chelsea from Brighton.
Although, not all of their cast-outs managed to bag a move with Raheem Sterling staying at Chelsea despite interest from West Ham and Fulham.
The surprising exit was of Chilwell joining Chelsea’s partner club Strasbourg on deadline day, which had some repercussions on Samuels-Smith’s prospective move to the French side.
Credit: Imago
Samuels-Smith had originally joined Strasbourg from Chelsea at the start of July yet, 33 days later, he rejoined the Blues following the signing of Chilwell.
This prompted the 19-year-old to then be immediately sent out on a season-long loan at Swansea City in a strange turn of events.
According to BBC Sport (1 September), the reasons for the £6.5m eventually being refunded for the six-foot-one defender came down to various factors.
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This included an impact on development opportunities, partially stemming from the arrival of the 28-year-old Chilwell, and a contract renewal for Ismael Doukoure in Ligue 1 after previously being out of favour.
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During the second half of last season, Chilwell played under Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace with limited success as the south London side did not explore the opportunity to sign the left-back on a permanent basis.
The 28-year-old made only 11 appearances for the Eagles after being ousted from the Blues set-up due to an array of niggling injuries.
Considering the way the former Leicester defender started his career at Stamford Bridge, it quickly fell off but now lies an opportunity for him to play regular minutes once again.
Ben Chilwell Crystal Palace 2024-25Appearances11Minutes played411Goals1Assists0(Source: Sofascore)
In particular, the move to Strasbourg opens up an avenue which perhaps look completely unviable before deadline day: playing at the 2026 World Cup.
In the last few tournaments, England have struggled for a consistent left-back option and Thomas Tuchel will be keeping a keen eye on who comes to prominence ahead of the international tournament.
Chilwell cannot be ruled out if he comes good in France as his 21 caps for the national side is invaluable to the German manager, whom he previously won the Champions League under.