Viktor Gyokeres is being pursued by a host of clubs. (Image: Getty)
are running out of time this month if they are to make the additions to their squad needed to reignite their form and guarantee a top-four spot. ’s side ended a run of five top-flight games without a win on Monday, to move back into fourth but competition is hot.
And the club’s hopes of returning to Europe’s elite competition next season now appear in the balance with Maresca needing to address a number of key areas in his squad.
A number of player exits are also expected, given ’s bloated group as a result of Todd Boehly’s spending spree since taking over the club from Roman Abramovich in 2022.
The form of has again been in the spotlight this week after the goalkeeper’s howler gifted an equaliser to Matt Doherty at Stamford Bridge. The ex-Brighton man has appeared a liability in the past two seasons, despite being handed a seven-year contract when he arrived in 2023.
Defenders Ben Chilwell and Renato Veiga also appear surplus to requirements. The former England-left-back has been limited to just one appearance in this campaign following a string of injury problems, while Veiga is also said to be up for sale having failed to settle after his summer arrival from Basel.
Like Chilwell, midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka hasn’t featured in the since early 2024, and is another figure the Blues also need to get off the books. Italian winger Cesare Casadei is also not part of Maresca’s first-team plans, having been confined to the following his return from a loan spell at
Robert Sanchez has struggled at Chelsea. (Image: Getty)
But the proposed sale most likely to free up funds is that of Christopher Nkunku. Despite the club paying £52million for his service from RB Leipzig, the striker could reportedly leave the club this month having played second fiddle for the No.9 role to Nicolas Jackson.
If can get these players off the books, they will have to act quickly in the transfer market to use the funds to strengthen in January. The Blues have been linked to Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki in a bid to solve their issue between the sticks, with the Japanese international having impressed in Serie A this season.
forward Alejandro Garnacho is another target, with the player expected to add creativity to the ranks if he arrives in London. But face a fight with Napoli if they are to sign the Argentine international, with .
Viktor Gyokores is another player being linked with a host of European clubs, including the Blues. The striker has again been in prolific form for Sporting CP this season, scoring 33 goals in just 31 games.
The Portuguese club are likely to demand the Swede’s £84m release clause be paid in full, and Maresca and co will almost certainly need to offload players for fees before sanctioning a signing for that amount. But his arrival would give the team the firepower they need to cement their top-four challenge and also ease their reliance on for goals.