Chelsea say Ben Chilwell could leave in January

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says England left-back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka could leave the club in January.

Neither player has featured in the Premier League this season and has barely featured in the Conference League and Carabao Cup.

England international Chilwell, who started for his country in friendlies against Brazil and Belgium in March before missing Euro 2024, was said in August not to be in the head coach’s plans but was unable to settle a move before the transfer deadline.

Chukwuemeka – a £20m signing from Aston Villa in January 2023 – has been restricted to substitute appearances in the Conference League, although he was not in the squad for Thursday’s 5-1 defeat of Shamrock Rovers.

“There are players who unfortunately haven’t played a lot with us in all competitions, like Chilwell, like Carney,” Maresca said ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton.

“They’re probably the first to want to leave because they work every day because they want to play. If they’re not playing, they’re probably thinking about leaving.

“Each player has a different situation, so we’ll see if someone knocks on the door and says I want to leave. We will try to find a solution.”

Reece James, who has not featured since November’s draw with Arsenal, is set to make a partial return to first-team training on Friday as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

“That doesn’t mean he’ll be with us on Sunday or next Sunday,” Maresca said. “The plan is part of the session he will be with the team to try to build the right conditions for him.”