Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, believes that Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka are likely the first players who may seek to depart the club as the January transfer window approaches due to insufficient playing time.
Both players have yet to appear in the Premier League this season, and their exclusion from Maresca’s selections for the Conference League and League Cup suggests a potential exit from Stamford Bridge.
England international Chilwell was informed in August that he was not part of the coach’s plans, but a return seemed possible after he featured in the second half of September’s League Cup victory over Barrow.
However, that comeback has not occurred, while 21-year-old Chukwuemeka has mostly been restricted to coming off the bench.
“There are players who unfortunately have not had much playing time with us across all competitions, such as Chilwell and Carney,” Maresca said ahead of the match against Everton on Sunday.
“Most likely, they are the first who will consider leaving because they train every day with the desire to play. If they aren’t getting minutes, they might be contemplating a departure.” He said.
Maresca has benefited from less challenging fixtures in Europe, allowing him to provide substantial playing time to players who have struggled to break into his Premier League squads. They topped the Conference League group, securing an automatic place in the last 16, which means European competitions will pause until March.
Chelsea, currently second in the Premier League, could overtake leaders Liverpool, at least temporarily, if they secure a victory against Everton on Sunday, while Arne Slot’s side plays later.
