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Chilwell and Chukwuemeka Consider Leaving Chelsea as Playing Time Diminishes
Enzo Maresca has indicated that Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka are the most likely Chelsea players to seek transfers during the January window, with both having experienced limited playing time this season.
Chilwell, the 27-year-old England international, has only made a single appearance this season—coming on as a half-time substitute in a comfortable 5-0 Carabao Cup win against Barrow. Initially, he trained separately in hopes of securing a move away from Stamford Bridge, but those plans did not materialize, leaving him integrated back into first-team trainings.
Chukwuemeka, who joined Chelsea for £20 million from Aston Villa in January 2023, has faced a similar situation. His game time has been restricted primarily to substitute roles during the Conference League matches, and he was notably absent from the squad in the recent 5-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers.
Ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming match against Everton, Maresca expressed that he anticipates both players may look to part ways. He stated, “There are players that unfortunately didn’t play a lot with us in all the competitions, like (Ben) Chilwell and Carney (Chukwuemeka).” He further elaborated, “They likely will be the first to express a desire to leave, as training daily and not participating in matches can lead to thoughts of seeking new opportunities.”
Maresca emphasized that individual situations vary among players, suggesting a potential dialogue may occur regarding their aspirations and future at the club. “We need to evaluate if they’re inclined to approach us about leaving. We want to find a constructive solution,” he added.
While Maresca encourages his younger talents to remain with the first team for their development, he has not ruled out the possibility of forward Marc Guiu, who recently scored a hat trick against Shamrock Rovers, heading out on loan in January. “For young players like Marc, Josh (Acheampong), and Ty (Tyrique George), being part of our setup is vital. They gain insight into our playing style and can grow significantly within this environment,” commented Maresca.
He noted, however, that the decision to stay or seek more game time ultimately rests with the players. “If Marc desires more minutes on the pitch, we can sit down together and explore options.”
Maresca has taken advantage of facing less formidable opponents in European competitions, allowing him to offer ample playing time to those on the fringes of the Premier League squad. Chelsea topped their Conference League group, securing direct passage to the last 16, which means a break from European commitments until March.
“I’m not overly concerned about the players’ happiness over the next three months,” Maresca conveyed. “We have numerous matches ahead, and if players demonstrate commitment in training, they will earn their opportunities.”
In the coming week, Chelsea is set to play three games against Everton, Fulham, and Ipswich, adding to their already busy schedule. Maresca plans to evaluate the situation game by game with the aim of selecting the best fit for each match.
Reece James, who has been sidelined since a draw with Arsenal in November due to a hamstring injury, is expected to make a return to partial first-team training following recovery. Maresca cautioned, however, that this does not guarantee his immediate availability for the upcoming fixtures, noting, “The plan is for him to participate in part of training before we assess his readiness.”
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