Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has admitted that Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka are likely to request a transfer away from Stamford Bridge.
Upon joining the Blues in the summer, Maresca did not shy away from excluding players that did not feature in his plans for 2024-25.
Chilwell and Chukwuemeka were among the squad members made available for transfer and only reintegrated once it became apparent that a suitable proposal for their services would not arrive.
While Chukwuemeka has been provided with 130 minutes across five appearances in the EFL Cup and Conference League, Chilwell has been restricted to just one 45-minute outing versus League Two side Barrow.
© Imago
"Probably they are thinking to leave"
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Friday, Maresca was quizzed on their respective futures, acknowledging that there was a strong chance of a change of scenery for both.
The Italian said, as quoted by football.london: "There are players who unfortunately didn't play a lot with us in all the competitions, like [Ben] Chilwell, like Carney [Chukwuemeka].
"Probably they are the first who want to leave because they work every day, they train every day, because they want to play games. And if they don't play games, probably they are thinking to leave.
"But then we will see. With each player, it's a different situation. So we're going to see if some of them come knock on my door to say they want to leave, but it depends. We try to find a solution."
While Chilwell will be available for permanent offers, a loan exit may be deemed more suitable for Chukwuemeka.
© Imago
What is Maresca's stance on Guiu?
Eighteen-year-old forward Marc Guiu netted a hat-trick in Thursday's Conference League fixture against Shamrock Rovers, making him the leading marksman in the competition.
After the game, Maresca suggested that the teenager would have to remain patient for game time, and he has since hinted that a temporary exit remains a possibility.
Maresca said: "With young players like Marc [Guiu], like Josh [Acheampong], like Tyrique [George], for me, the best thing for them is to be with us because they can understand every day the way we want to play, they can grow, we can teach them how we want them to play.
"So I think it's better if they stay with us. But then it depends a little on the desire of the players. If in this case, Marc's desire is to get more minutes and to play more, then we see we sit with him and we will decide to together."
The future of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was also discussed on Thursday night, with Maresca saying that "anything can happen" with the English midfielder.
Darren Plant
