“We will send him back in January” – Club have told Chelsea they want to send £23m player back to Enzo Maresca

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

 

Chelsea’s Looming January Transfer Decisions

As the January transfer window approaches, Chelsea faces crucial decisions on several fringe players, while also dealing with the potential return of a loanee. Manager Enzo Maresca and the board have their hands full as they try to reshape the squad for the second half of the season.

Ben Chilwell: A Likely Departure

One of the key players expected to leave Stamford Bridge in January is Ben Chilwell. The £200,000-per-week left-back has barely featured this season, amassing just 45 minutes in all competitions. Despite reports in September suggesting Maresca was under pressure to give Chilwell more game time to increase his market value, the defender remains out of the manager’s plans.

Chelsea has reportedly held exit talks with multiple clubs across the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga, making Chilwell one of the top contenders for a January departure. With his high wages and lack of form, finding a suitable buyer will be a significant challenge.

Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei: Young Midfielders in Limbo

Carney Chukwuemeka, the 20-year-old midfielder, is another player looking for a move away from Chelsea. Having failed to make a single Premier League appearance this season and accumulating just 63 minutes of playtime across all competitions, his prospects at the club appear bleak.

Similarly, Cesare Casadei, who was praised earlier this season by Maresca for his development as a holding midfielder, is linked with moves to Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus. Despite his physical presence and improvement on the ball, Casadei’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain, and a departure in January seems likely.

Lesley Ugochukwu: Loan Cut Short

Adding to Chelsea’s transfer headache is Lesley Ugochukwu, the £23 million signing from Rennes who is currently on loan at Southampton. The French midfielder has struggled for game time under Southampton manager Russell Martin, prompting the club to request an early termination of his loan.

Chelsea is now working behind the scenes to find a new club for Ugochukwu, as they are eager for him to gain more minutes to continue his development.

The Challenge Ahead

Chelsea’s focus in January will be on offloading players like Chilwell, Chukwuemeka, and Casadei, while also finding a suitable destination for Ugochukwu. The club will need to balance reducing their wage bill with ensuring players on the fringes find opportunities to thrive elsewhere.

The January transfer window could be pivotal for Chelsea as they continue to refine their squad and align it with Maresca’s vision for the future.