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 appeared 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 told in August that he was not in the head coach’s plans but was unable to decide on a move before the transfer deadline.

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

“There are players who unfortunately didn’t play much for us in all competitions, like Chilwell, like Carney,” Maresca said ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton.

“They are probably the first ones who will want to leave because they work every day because they want to play. If they don’t play they are probably thinking about leaving.

“Each player has a different situation so we will 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, was expected to make a partial return to first-team training on Friday as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

“That doesn’t mean he’s going to be with us on Sunday or next Sunday,” Maresca said. “The plan is part of the session where he will be with the team and then from there he will try to create the right conditions for him.”