Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca says England left-back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka could leave the club in January.
Neither player has played in the Premier League this season and has barely featured in the Conference League and Carabao Cup.
England international Chilwell, who started for his country in friendlies against Brazil and Belgium in March before missing Euro 2024, was told in August that he was not in the head coach’s plans but could not agree a move before the transfer deadline .
Chukwuemeka – a £20m signing from Aston Villa in January 2023 – was restricted to substitute appearances in the Conference League, although he was not in the squad for Thursday’s 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers.
“There are players who unfortunately haven’t played with us often in all competitions, like Chilwell, like Carney,” said Maresca ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton.
“They are probably the first to want to go because they work every day because they want to play. If they’re not playing, they’re probably thinking about leaving.
“Every player has a different situation, so we will see if someone knocks on the door and says I want to leave. We will try to find a solution.”
Reece James, who has not featured since the draw with Arsenal in November, was expected to return to part-time first-team training on Friday as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
“That doesn’t mean he will be with us on Sunday or next Sunday,” Maresca said. “The plan is part of the session where he will be with the team and from there to try to create the right conditions for him.”
