Chelsea transfer news: Youngster 'set for EFL loan move' in January

Head coach Enzo Maresca made a conscious effort to reduce the numbers in his senior squad before the end of the summer in order to largely have two players for every position.

However, as many as 24 different players have featured in the Premier League and several more in the Conference League, the latter a consequence of the Italian wishing to keep players as fresh as possible.

Nevertheless, it is anticipated that several outgoings will materialise at the turn of the year, whether that be on a permanent or temporary basis.

According to Football Insider, Omari Kellyman will be among those who will move elsewhere.

The report suggests that the club's hierarchy have acknowledged that the 19-year-old is desperately in need of regular first-team football during the second half of the campaign.

Hamstring and knee injuries have ensured that the £20m arrival from Aston Villa has been unable to make his debut for Maresca's side.

Furthermore, the England Under-19 international has been unable to make an appearance for the Under-21s since August, the playmaker featuring on just two occasions.

While the hope is that he can put himself into a position to return to training and competitive action as soon as possible, it is highly unlikely that Kellyman will represent Chelsea's first team in 2024-25.

Before moving to Stamford Bridge, Kellyman had only accumulated 148 minutes of senior game time across six substitute appearances, 90 of which came for Villa against Hibernian in a Conference League qualifier.

Potential clubs?

Although the report name-checks no specific team, Frank Lampard may look to use his Chelsea links to sign a player such as Kellyman for Coventry City.

Derby County, where Kellyman spent part of his youth days, is another plausible destination when Chelsea will be prioritising a combination of playing style and being thrown straight into action.

Either a Championship club or high-end League One outfit is likely to be Kellyman's club for the second half of the season.

Written by

Darren Plant