Enzo Maresca could be without as many as seven players when Chelsea face West Ham on Monday night. The Blues will host the Hammers at Stamford Bridge on deadline day as they both look to climb the Premier League table.
Chelsea suffered a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City last weekend; the West Londoners leapt out of the traps and began in the ascendancy, but they couldn’t capitalise on their early dominance at the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, West Ham showed great steel in a 1-1 with Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. Despite some mixed results since replacing Julen Lopetegui as head coach, Graham Potter has made good progress in his first few weeks.
Chelsea may fancy themselves against the Hammers, but Maresca could be without some big names. While the Blues are locking horns with West Ham on Monday night, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart will be working hard to finalise some deals before the January transfer window slams shut at 11pm.
So, that could mean those who face uncertain futures at Chelsea will miss the London derby, with kick-off at 8pm and the final whistle expected at around 10pm. Unless potential suitors agree personal terms with the players they are interested in signing before the game, there will only be an hour or so to tie loose ends.
On Friday, Maresca was asked if deadline day being on a matchday will impact his decision making. The Blues boss said: “No. It’s the same situation for all the clubs, for all the managers. It is good also because you can work with the ones that you are sure are going to be with you until the end. It is good for me but also for the other clubs.”
Maresca added: “We have in this moment, many noises around the players but it is not just for us. Probably if you ask Graham [Potter], he is exactly the same. I don’t know if they have noises around players but all in all, I think it’s exactly the same situation for all of the clubs, all of the managers, the good thing is that Monday is the last day.”
On any potential signings, the Italian said: “You can expect players to arrive and you can expect players to be leaving. It is like this in this moment. I don’t have any ideas about the ones that can leave and the ones that can arrive. Anything can happen. For me, the main focus is on 48 hours, the game and is the main focus and the most important thing.”
Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka, Aaron Anselmino and Ben Chilwell have all been heavily linked with moves away from Chelsea this month. None more so than the latter, who played just 45 minutes for the Blues this season.
football.london understands Crystal Palace have made a move to sign Chilwill, who’s been allowed to leave Stamford Bridge. Maresca was quizzed on the England international’s future at Chelsea last month – and he left the door open for teams to swoop in.
“Because players want to play more so there is probably chances for them to leave,” said the Italian. “But Ben has been top. I have to say that, he has been top. Very professional, works hard. I feel shame because of that situation but in terms of behaviour, he has been very good.”
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