Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has reportedly decided to move forward without two high-profile players—Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka—as part of his long-term project at Stamford Bridge.
Both players are expected to be offloaded in the upcoming January transfer window as Maresca plans to reshape the squad.
Chilwell, a 27-year-old left-back, and Chukwuemeka, a 20-year-old midfielder earning £100,000 per week, are said to be “firmly” excluded from the manager’s future plans.
Chilwell’s situation has been under scrutiny since the summer transfer window, with speculation growing about his future.
Once a key player for the Blues, his status within the squad has significantly declined, and Maresca had previously left him out of the team for several matches.
Although Chilwell made a temporary return for Chelsea’s EFL Cup victory over Barrow in September, this decision was largely seen as a tactical move to put him in the shop window ahead of the January window, rather than a sign of reintegration into the squad.
Chilwell played 45 minutes in the 5-0 win, but Maresca’s intention to sell him in January remains unchanged.
Despite continuing to train with the first-team squad, Chilwell’s future at Stamford Bridge appears bleak.
While Chelsea faces important Premier League fixtures against teams like Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, and Arsenal, Chilwell’s involvement is expected to be limited, as the club looks to find him a new destination.
Over the summer, there were rumors linking Chilwell with a move to Manchester United, who were seeking reinforcements at left-back.
Although Chilwell reportedly wanted the move, United ultimately decided against it, leaving the defender’s future unresolved.
Chilwell’s decline is notable, particularly given the high regard in which he was once held.
Previous Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino had praised Chilwell as one of the best left-backs in the world, but a series of injuries, including to his hamstring and knee, have negatively impacted his form.
Maresca, however, does not seem to share the same high opinion of the player, and with Chilwell’s hefty £200,000-per-week salary, few clubs are likely to match his current wages without a significant pay cut.
His departure in January seems inevitable.
Similarly, Carney Chukwuemeka, the young England Under-21 international, is also expected to leave Chelsea in January.
The talented midfielder, who has struggled to find regular playing time under Maresca, is now deemed surplus to requirements.
Despite his potential, Chukwuemeka has not been able to establish himself in the squad, and the club is actively seeking to move him on.
AC Milan and Saudi Arabian clubs are reportedly interested in signing the 20-year-old, with a loan move to Milan being a possibility as the Italian club looks for cost-effective ways to strengthen their midfield.
Interestingly, while Maresca appears to have lost faith in Chukwuemeka, the midfielder has found an admirer in former Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly.
Desailly recently praised the young player, calling him an “artist” on the pitch who shines with confidence and dribbling skills.
However, despite this high praise, it seems that Maresca’s vision for the team does not include Chukwuemeka, making his departure in January all the more likely.
As the January transfer window approaches, the futures of both Chilwell and Chukwuemeka will be closely monitored.
Their potential exits will likely open up opportunities for Chelsea to continue their squad rebuild under Maresca’s leadership.
Whether these moves will benefit both the players and the club remains to be seen, but their exclusion from Chelsea’s long-term plans signals significant changes are underway at Stamford Bridge.
