Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca could find himself with a problem over the coming months as several stars jostle for more minutes. The Blues boss has so far kept his squad happy, with a so-called ‘second XI’ playing in the Carabao Cup and the Conference League.
But if Chelsea go far in those competitions, the chances of Maresca strengthening the starting 11 increase. If some of those players lose out on game time, they could grow frustrated. Express Sport looks at six stars who might start giving Maresca an issue.
Christopher Nkunku
Maresca has made it abundantly clear that he prefers Nicolas Jackson over Nkunku. Despite the Frenchman scoring five goals in four Conference League outings, his overall performances have been nowhere near the level Jackson has managed in the Premier League.
That has earned Nkunku only 898 minutes across all competitions, the equivalent of just under 10 full matches. If Chelsea reach the latter rounds of all their competitions, Jackson could be used far more as the Blues hunt silverware.
Nkunku could find himself unhappy if that is the case.
Mykhaylo Mudryk
Mudryk’s Chelsea career has never truly got going since his £88m switch from Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian now finds himself below Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto in the pecking order for the wide positions at Stamford Bridge.
There seems little way back into the Blues team for Mudryk, who may have his game time reduced even further if Maresca reverts to his first-team later in cup competitions.
Joao Felix
There is little chance of Felix getting into a Chelsea side that features Jackson and Cole Palmer in the two positions the Portugal international plays. His switch from Atletico Madrid was largely to facilitate Conor Gallagher’s move in the other direction.
While Felix has featured more prominently than other players on this list, it would not be a surprise to see such a talented player grow frustrated by his lack of action.
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell was part of Maresca’s ‘bomb squad’ during the summer and was briefly recalled to senior action after failing to find a new club. However, the England international’s 45 minutes against Barrow in the Carabao Cup remain his only appearance this season.
The 27-year-old will surely leave Chelsea after realising that he is not part of his manager’s long-term plans.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Chukwuemeka seemed set to be a regular feature of Chelsea’s midfield for years to come when he signed from Aston Villa in 2022. But an influx of even bigger-money signings has all but ended his hopes of appearing frequently for the West Londoners.
Chukwuemeka was linked with a summer exit but Chelsea’s valuation saw a permanent move ruled out. The 21-year-old needs to kickstart his career and that does not seem set to happen at Stamford Bridge.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Aside from his relationship with Maresca from their time at Leicester, Dewsbury-Hall’s £30m transfer to Chelsea during the summer seemed strange. It was always unlikely that the 26-year-old would play ahead of the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia.
Dewsbury-Hall, who has played only 55 Premier League minutes this season, has recently been linked with a return to Leicester and could depart if his game time does not increase.