Enzo Maresca admits two out-of-favour Chelsea stars are set to head for the exit in the January transfer window

Neither player has featured in the Premier League this season and while many squad members have been given crucial minutes in the Conference League, the out-of-favour pair have also struggled for game time in this competition. Now, Maresca has admitted he'd be happy for them to leave in January.

Chilwell has bags of Premier League experience and was previously linked with Manchester United in the summer, but his reported £200,000-per-week wages make him out of reach for most potential buyers. Chukwuemeka, meanwhile, would be a more affordable option and the 21-year-old has previously attracted interest from Barcelona and AC Milan, so it would not be a surprise to see the young attacker exit next month.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Chelsea's Premier League trip to Everton on Sunday, Maresca said: “There are players that unfortunately didn’t play a lot with us in all the competitions, like Chilwell, like Carney. Probably they’re the first that will want to leave because they work every day because they want to play. If they don’t play probably they are thinking to leave. Each player has a different situation so we’ll see if anyone knocks the door and says I want to leave. We’ll try to find a solution.” 

The Italian boss has not shied away from making big decisions since taking charge in the summer, and his dealings with out-of-favour players have been pretty ruthless, from his sidelining of Raheem Sterling to his treatment of Chilwell and Chukwuemeka. Gradually, though, Maresca seems to be building a squad he is more happy with and the team's impressive results suggest he knows what he's doing. At this rate, Chelsea are in with a chance of topping the Premier League table at the end of 2024.