Chelsea has been dealt a setback as manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Carney Chukwuemeka will no longer feature in the squad.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round match against Morecambe, Maresca revealed that the 21-year-old midfielder is likely to leave the club during the January transfer window.
“Carney won’t be included in today’s game; he is a good player, but we have so many midfield players that he will struggle for minutes,” Maresca explained.
Chukwuemeka, who joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2022, has struggled to secure regular playing time.
This season, his opportunities have been especially limited due to the depth of Chelsea’s midfield, which includes standout players like Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Romeo Lavia.
Despite his potential, the fierce competition for places has left Chukwuemeka on the sidelines for most of the campaign.
Maresca has consistently expressed admiration for Chukwuemeka’s talent but acknowledged that a loan move would be the best solution for the player to gain regular minutes.
Back in September 2024, Maresca remarked, “I really, really like Carney.
The problem is that we have so many attacking midfielders that he is going to struggle to find space.”
His recent comments reiterated this view, noting that some players who haven’t featured much this season are likely to seek moves elsewhere during the January window.
Several clubs have already shown interest in Chukwuemeka.
West Ham United, for example, is reportedly targeting both Chukwuemeka and fellow Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as part of their plans to strengthen their squad amid a difficult Premier League campaign. Loan deals for the duo are said to be under consideration.
In addition to interest from domestic clubs, European teams have also been monitoring Chukwuemeka.
Italian side Torino reportedly targeted the young midfielder during the summer transfer window, though a deal ultimately failed to materialize.
Chelsea is reportedly open to offers for Chukwuemeka, with a potential transfer fee of around £40 million being discussed.
The January transfer window presents an opportunity for Chukwuemeka to secure regular game time elsewhere, which could be crucial for his development and long-term career prospects.
As Maresca continues to reshape Chelsea’s squad, Chukwuemeka’s departure seems increasingly likely, with interested clubs closely watching his situation.
For Chelsea, finding a solution that benefits both the player and the club will be key as they navigate their midfield depth and look to offload players who are not receiving adequate playing time.
