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Published December 30, 2024 5:22pm Updated December 30, 2024 5:22pm
Chelsea intend to move a number of players on during the January transfer window, with five names on the chopping block.
The Blues still have a huge amount of players after a very busy couple of years in the transfer market and there have been extremely limited first team opportunities for some as a result.
England international Ben Chilwell is probably the biggest name who has been exiled from the first team picture, making just one senior appearance so far this season against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.
The club were trying to move him on in the summer but didn’t manage to secure a deal, but will try again in January.
The left-back is still under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2027, but both player and club are keen to secure a permanent exit.
The BBC report that Carney Chukwuemeka is also free to leave on a permanent deal having failed to make a Premier League appearance yet this season, only turning out in the Carabao Cup and Conference League.
The 21-year-old has played 23 times for the Blues in the top flight but is out of the picture under Maresca, however, Chelsea want any interested party to meet the £40m release clause in his contract.
For a player who has played just five times this season and 12 over the entire last campaign, that might be a touch ambitious.
Also available for transfer are youngsters Harvey Vale and Alex Matos, while Cesare Casadei will be allowed to leave on loan.
Casadei spent last season on loan at Leicester City under Enzo Maresca but has not been given any game time under the Italian in the Premier League.
He is still thought to have the potential to have a future with the Blues, but may be sent out on loan to gain experience, with Feyenoord and Monza reportedly interested in a short-term deal.
Speaking earlier this month about plans for the transfer window, Maresca said no decisions had been made ahead of January.
‘We have now three or four games before January,’ Maresca said. ‘We have Everton, Fulham and Ipswich. So, we have three [league] games before January.
‘After these three games, we are going to sit and decide if we need to do something.’
After a draw at Everton and defeat at home to Fulham, it may be that transfer plans have changed thanks to those results.
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