Chelsea have enjoyed a stunning start to life under Enzo Maresca, but not every player is happy and the boss knows that departures are on their way.
Such a bloated squad has left several stars struggling for gametime, despite regular rotation in the UEFA Conference League, and Maresca admitted that he is expecting numbers to be trimmed in the second half of the season.
"There are players who unfortunately didn’t play a lot with us in all the competitions, like [Ben] Chilwell, like Carney [Chukwuemeka],” Maresca said after defeating Shamrock Rovers 5-1 on Thursday.
"They are probably the first who want to leave because they work every day, they train every day. They want to play games, and if they don’t play games probably they are thinking to leave.”
That admission has put a number of Premier League clubs on alert, including some of their biggest rivals, as Express Sport takes a look at four stars who may ditch Stamford Bridge.
Ben Chilwell
Ben Chilwell has suffered a tremendous fall from grace, going from an integral part of Chelsea’s Champions League-winning side to a player well on the fringes of the squad. He has played just 45 minutes this season, a sole substitute appearance in the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Barrow.
But Manchester United and Liverpool are looking for a left-back. Ruben Amorim’s side have used Diogo Dalot as a makeshift wing-back on the left, but Chilwell represents an opportunity to find a specialist.
Jamie Carragher has been among the critics calling for Liverpool to provide Andrew Robertson with some help, Chilwell could well resurrect his career at Anfield.
Axel Disasi
Axel Disasi is firmly behind Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo in the eyes of Maresca, but may be able to find a new home at Manchester United.
The Red Devils are expected to lose Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans before next season and the versatile Disasi may provide a helpful squad option, with their three-at-the-back system requiring more strength in depth in that role.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Carney Chukwuemeka was considered one of the brightest prospects in his age group when he left Aston Villa for Chelsea for £20million in 2022.
But he has failed to impress Maresca and made just one start this season, away to Astana in Europe.
His potential may yet be realised elsewhere, and the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool showed interest while the 21-year-old was breaking through at Villa Park. Perhaps that interest could be reignited again in January as an opportunistic deal.
Kiernan Dewsbury Hall
Maresca’s star man at Leicester, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, followed the head coach to Stamford Bridge. But the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia remain firmly first-choice in west London.
Caught Offside claim that Chelsea are willing to sanction a loan for the 26-year-old, and Leicester are interested in a reunion, alongside Arsenal.
The two clubs have already done business recently, as Raheem Sterling was sent on loan to north London on deadline day, but he could complete Mikel Arteta’s midfield trident alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.