Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market ever since Todd Boehly’s takeover at Stamford Bridge and that could be the same over the coming days after some telling comments from Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca has announced that Ttwo Chelsea wantaways have been cut from his squad – despite exits not being agreed.
The Italian has had quite the task on his hands this season in keeping the Blues’ bloated squad happy. And that has seen a host of stars handed less opportunities than they would have liked.
It was thought that this weekend’s FA Cup clash against Morecambe would give some squad players a chance. But two players in particular – Ben Chilwell and Cesare Casadei – will not feature in the squad as they eye exits from Stamford Bridge, Maresca has confirmed.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Chelsea boss said: “Chilwell, for him, he is thinking about to leave so it is better to avoid using him and avoid injuries and these type of things. The plan is to not use Ben tomorrow.”
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On Casadei, Maresca added: “Cesare will not be in the squad. It’s more or less the same situation as Ben. The plan is to not give him minutes if there is an opportunity for him to go and play.”
Chilwell, 28, has played just 45 minutes under Maresca this season and has not featured in a single Premier League squad. He seems sure to leave but as of yet, no deal has been agreed with another club.
Meanwhile, Italian midfielder Casadei has played slightly more having played under Maresca during a loan spell at Leicester last term. But the vast majority of his minutes have come in the Conference League. Napoli, Torino and his former club Leicester have all been linked.
And while both Casadei and Chilwell could leave, the same could also be said of summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Reports have suggested that the midfielder could leave on loan but Maresca still believes he has a long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
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He said: “For sure, he has a future with us. Also, because, when you want to send players on loan, it has to be from all the sides; the players, the club and the manager. It is not just about what I want.
“For sure, he has to do that [fight for his place], no doubt. I know Kiernan quite well and he is going to do that.”
Dewsbury-Hall only joined Chelsea for £30m from Leicester in the summer. But he has not made a single Premier League start – and is ruled out for this weekend’s game through injury.
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