Chelsea transfer news: Maresca admits to 'really, really liking' former exiled player

Since signing from Aston Villa in 2022, the midfielder has struggled to put together a run of games due to injuries or other players being preferred.

However, when he has featured for Chelsea, Chukwuemeka has largely impressed, making goal or assist contributions in games versus West Ham United, Liverpool and Leicester City last season.

Chukwuemeka completed the full 90 minutes in Maresca's first pre-season game in the United States, yet he has barely featured since and was made available for a temporary exit.

Despite alleged interest in his signature, a move failed to come to fruition, leaving Maresca with a decision to make over how to handle the situation.

"I really, really like Carney"

Maresca has since moved to reintegrate the 20-year-old into his senior squad, Chukwuemeka most likely to come into the frame for appearances in the EFL Cup and Europa Conference League.

Although that will give Maresca a chance to take a further look at the England Under-20 international, he has acknowledged that he was keen to see him move elsewhere for the remainder of the season.

Speaking to reporters, Maresca said: "I said to him personally, and said to you in the press conferences, I really, really like Carney.

"The problem is that we have so many attacking midfielders that he is going to struggle to find space. For me, because of his past in terms of injury, the best thing to do was to go to some team and prove himself that he is fit and play 30, 35 games and come back here.

"Unfortunately, we didn't find a solution so he is now one of the players in our squad. We can use him."

Where does Chukwuemeka stand in pecking order?

In terms of the engine room, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are all ahead of Chukwuemeka in the pecking order.

When considering the most attack-minded role in a midfield three, Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku are also considered ahead of the youngster.

Chukwuemeka has featured for just 616 minutes in all competitions across two seasons at Chelsea. He is also yet to complete 90 minutes in a senior match aside from in the EFL Trophy.