Oliver Glasner confirms Ben Chilwell debut as Crystal Palace boss responds to Marc Guehi bid | OneFootball

England international looking to rebuild career after nightmare 18 months

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner feels Ben Chilwell can hit the ground running after looking to kick-start his career with a loan move away from Chelsea.

The versatile 28-year-old joined the Eagles on transfer deadline day, offering him a fresh start after a difficult spell with the Blues.

Chilwell endured a torrid 18 months after he struggled with injury issues before new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca quickly decided the former Leicester full-back would not be part of his plans this season.

The switch to south London also offers Chilwell an opportunity to put himself in the frame again for England duty as new head coach Thomas Tuchel looks to reshape his squad ahead of a World Cup qualifying campaign.

"When we were looking for players on the market, Ben was always one of our top targets," said Glasner, who confirmed Chilwell was likely to feature in Monday night's FA Cup fourth round tie at Doncaster.

"He is Premier League experienced and it was also about who can help us immediately, because we have only three-and-a-half months, then it is the end of the season.

"He played wing-back under Thomas Tuchel (at Chelsea) when they won the Champions League, he can play in a back four, so many aspects worked for him.

"Ben played many games for them and then, for reasons I don't know and I don't care, he didn't play. That was the only opportunity that we could sign him here, because if he is a starter for Chelsea, we don't have a chance to sign him."

Glasner told a press conference: "It can be a big chance for him. He has to compete with Tyrick Mitchell because he has had an excellent season for us, very consistent on a very high level. But he (Chilwell) is doing really well in training. He is fit.

"Unfortunately, he couldn't take part in Chelsea's team training in January. Team training is a little bit different, so we have to give him some days and maybe weeks, but the plan is he will get minutes at Doncaster."

Palace rejected a significant offer from Tottenham for England defender Marc Guehi, which came late in the window.

Tottenham made a late move to sign Marc Guehi

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"It was clear in our situation that we can't sell a player on deadline day because we don't find a replacement within a few hours. It's just impossible," Glasner said.

"Credit to the chairman, I think they were not really negotiations. He explained to them pretty soon that there is no chance because of our situation, and it is always Crystal Palace has to be number one in all the considerations.

"Then it was clear, we can't sell Marc because we don't get a replacement."

Glasner confirmed Eberechi Eze will be rested for the trip to South Yorkshire as he manages an ongoing foot issue, while defender Chris Richards has missed training through illness.

Forward Eddie Nketiah is a major doubt with a twisted ankle, so Matheus Franca, who has been a long-term absentee with a groin problem, could be drafted into the squad.