Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca says England left-back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Carne Chukwuemeka could leave the club in January.
Neither player has featured in the Premier League this season and has only rarely 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 could not make a move before the transfer deadline.
Chukwuemeka – who was signed for £20m from Aston Villa in January 2023 – was restricted to substitute appearances in the Conference League, although he was not in the squad for Thursday's 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers.
“There are players, unfortunately, who have not played for us much in all competitions, like Chilwell and Carney,” Maresca said ahead of Sunday’s trip to Everton.
“Maybe they will be the first to want to leave because they work every day because they want to play. If they are not playing then they are probably thinking about leaving.
“Every player has a different situation, so we will see if anyone knocks on the door and says I want to leave. We will try to find a solution.”
Reece James, who has not featured since the draw with Arsenal in November, is expected to make a partial return to first-team training on Friday as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
“This does not mean that he will be with us on Sunday or next Sunday,” Maresca said. “The plan is part of the training session in which he will be with the team and then from there to try to build the right conditions for him.”
