Chelsea have said that Ben Chilwell could leave in January

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says English left-back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka could leave the club in January.

Neither player has featured in the Premier League this season and has barely been involved 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 out on Euro 2024, said in August that he was not in the head coach’s plans but couldn’t settle a move before the transfer deadline.

Chukwuemeka – a £20million 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 rout of Shamrock Rovers.

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

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

“Each player has a different situation so we’ll 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.

“It does not mean that he will be with us on Sunday or next Sunday,” said Maresca. “The plan is part of the session that will be with the team then from there to try to build the right conditions for him.”