According to Prominent Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca has opted to offload a key £100k-per-week Chelsea player in addition to Ben Chilwell during the January transfer window as both players are not in the plans he has for the club.

Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, has made significant decisions about the futures of two notable players, Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka, indicating that both are no longer part of his strategic plans for the club. It appears that Maresca is set on moving both players out of Stamford Bridge, with a January transfer window exit seeming imminent. Among the two, Chukwuemeka, a midfielder earning £100,000 per week, and left-back Chilwell have reportedly been “firmly” excluded from Maresca’s long-term vision for Chelsea.

Ben Chilwell’s future at Chelsea has been in doubt for some time, with rumors circulating since the summer about his possible departure. Once a key figure in the team, Chilwell’s role has diminished considerably in recent months. Maresca left the 27-year-old out of several matchday squads earlier in the season, although he was temporarily brought back for Chelsea’s EFL Cup victory against Barrow. This return to the squad was not a sign of Chilwell’s reinstatement but rather a tactical move by the club to display the defender’s abilities to potential buyers ahead of the upcoming January transfer window. Despite his appearance, the decision to let Chilwell go appears unchanged.

Prior to Chilwell’s return for the match against Barrow, Maresca acknowledged the decision to give the defender some playing time, stating, “I think so. Hopefully, we can give him some minutes tomorrow.” Although Chilwell played for 45 minutes during Chelsea’s 5-0 win, his inclusion was more about attracting potential suitors than a sign of renewed confidence in his abilities.

Maresca’s stance on selling Chilwell remains firm. While the left-back continues to train with the squad and is likely to feature in upcoming matches, his involvement in Chelsea’s major fixtures, including clashes with top Premier League teams like Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, and Arsenal, is expected to be limited. The club is focused on securing a buyer for him in the January window, and his future at Chelsea seems all but sealed.

Over the summer, Chilwell was linked with several clubs, including Manchester United, who were reportedly offered the chance to sign him as they looked to strengthen their defensive options. While Chilwell was said to be keen on the move to Old Trafford, United ultimately passed on the opportunity. With Chilwell’s standing at Chelsea continuing to decline, a January departure seems increasingly likely.

Chilwell’s fall from prominence is particularly striking, given how highly he was once regarded. Previous Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino had praised him as one of the world’s top left-backs. However, a series of injuries, particularly to his hamstring and knee, have hampered his form. Maresca does not seem to share Pochettino’s favorable view of Chilwell, and with his substantial £200,000-per-week salary, finding a club willing to meet his wage demands may prove difficult unless he agrees to a pay cut.

In addition to Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka is also expected to leave Chelsea in January. The 20-year-old midfielder, who earns £100,000 per week, has struggled to make an impression under Maresca and is now considered surplus to the club’s needs. Reports suggest that Chukwuemeka is on Chelsea’s list of players to offload during the winter transfer window. Despite being viewed as a talented prospect, the England Under-21 international has not been able to secure a consistent place in the team.

Several clubs have already shown interest in Chukwuemeka, with AC Milan and teams from Saudi Arabia reportedly leading the race for his signature. AC Milan, in particular, is keen to add the midfielder to their squad and is eyeing a potential loan move, hoping to capitalize on his situation at Chelsea to strengthen their midfield options at a lower cost.

Interestingly, despite Chukwuemeka’s uncertain future at Chelsea, he has received praise from former Blues legend Marcel Desailly. The French World Cup winner described Chukwuemeka as an “artist” on the field, stating, “I like Carney Chukwuemeka because he’s like an artist stepping onto the stage. He has the ball. Now is my moment. Shine. You can see his dribbling skills. He is confident in his decisions and clinical in execution. I love it.” However, despite Desailly’s admiration, Maresca does not appear to share this sentiment, and Chukwuemeka’s time at Chelsea seems to be coming to an end.

As the January transfer window approaches, the futures of both Chilwell and Chukwuemeka will be closely monitored. Their expected departures will likely free up space for Chelsea to continue its rebuilding efforts under Maresca’s leadership. While it remains to be seen how these moves will impact both the players and the club, it is clear that Chelsea is heading in a new direction, leaving these two players behind as part of the changes happening at Stamford Bridge.