Enzo Maresca knows some of his fringe players will be eager to leave Chelsea next month.
Enzo Maresca knows some of his fringe players will be eager to leave Chelsea next month.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has said he expects Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka to ask for a move away from Stamford in the January transfer window.
The English pair have been out of the Italian's plans this season, with Chilwell restricted to only 45 minutes in the Carabao Cup all season and Chukwuemeka making a single start in the UEFA Conference League.
And Maresca thinks they will be at the front of a queue to request a sale as they pursue a chance to play elsewhere.
Speaking before Sunday's game against Everton at Goodison Park, Maresca said: "There are players that unfortunately didn't play a lot with us in all the competitions, like Chilwell, like Carney.
[
Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk's positive drugs test](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-enzo-maresca-breaks-silence-34337489)
"Probably they're the first that will want to leave because they work every day because they want to play. If they don't play probably they are thinking to leave. Each player has a different situation so we'll see if anyone knocks the door and says I want to leave. We'll try to find a solution."
Captain Reece James is nearing a return from his latest hamstring injury with Maresca saying: "It doesn't mean he's going to be with us on Sunday or next Sunday. The plan is part of the session he'll be with the team then from there to try to build the right conditions for him."
Chelsea defeated Shamrock Rovers 5-1 at home in the Conference League on Thursday night with young striker Marc Guiu bagging a first-half hat-trick, but the team will be almost entirely changed on Sunday.
Reece James
Reece James is nearing his latest return from injury.
Midfielder Romeo Lavia will not feature against the Toffees, however, with Maresca adding: "Romeo [Lavia] probably will struggle to play Sunday. We will see. It depends."
Winger Mykhailo Mudryk remains provisionally suspended after an adverse finding in a doping test was announced earlier this week. The Ukraine international denies "ever knowingly" taking a banned substance but could face a four-year ban if found guilty.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.