Chelsea sent transfer update as Enzo Maresca's Ben Chilwell U-turn theory emerges

Chelsea will be looking to make it back-to-back wins and build some momentum when they head to the London Stadium next weekend.

The Blues found a late winner against Bournemouth on Saturday evening, with Jadon Sancho setting up Christopher Nkunku at the Vitality Stadium. The Manchester United loanee made the perfect start to his Chelsea career and will be eyeing his first start under Enzo Maresca after Pedro Neto struggled in the first 45 minutes.

"I think we played two different games," Maresca said when asked what he thought of the win in Bournemouth. "I think first-half we struggled and second-half was much better.

"The reason why we struggled first-half for me was because we didn't win duels, we didn't win second balls, and in this stadium against this team, first of all, you need to show the desire to win the duels, and then also the tactical part is important. But first of all, you need to show that.

"This was the message after 45 minutes to the players that in this kind of games you have to finish the game with your t-shirt dirty because you need to fight. Second-half, I thought we were much, much better."

Here, football.london round-ups the latest Chelsea news...

AC Milan tipped to reignite interest for Chelsea star

Calcio Mercato reports the Serie A giants could be tempted to return to the negotiation table to secure the services of Carney Chukwuemeka. The Chelsea outcast is said to be 'an old obsession' for the scouting team, with his attributes fitting the profile the club are looking for.

The former Aston Villa ace is yet to make an appearance for Maresca this season after Chelsea decided not to send him out on loan in the summer. The report adds Milan tried to sign Chukwuemeka in the last few days of the summer window but were unsuccessful.

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"Carney is one of the most exciting young players in Europe," Todd Boehly told Chelsea’s official website in 2022.

FL says: "Keeping him at the club where he is unlikely to get game time this season will only keep the player unhappy and slow his progress. At the age of 20, Chukwuemeka needs to be given the platform to continue his development as a player. Chelsea are aware of his potential, which was what attracted them to his signature in the first place, but he hasn't been able to replicate the form from his days at Villa Park due to the lack of opportunities. Should AC Milan come in for him in the new year, Chelsea should look at doing a U-turn and loan him out."

Ben Chilwell U-turn

Maresca revealed Chilwell is set to return to first team training and will be part of his Premier League squad this season after failing to secure a move away in the summer. The defender had been exiled from the senior team after being deemed surplus to requirements and had been training separately.

He had been offered to teams during the summer window, and Manchester United were among those eyeing a deal. Prior to the win at Bournemouth, Maresca said: "We will sit with him and find a solution. He is probably going to be back with us in training sessions, we'll see, because at the moment, he is not training with us."

With that said, a report by Give Me Sport states the 27-year-old is expected to head through the exit door come the new year.

FL says: "Keeping Chilwell away from first team football will only decrease Chelsea's chances of selling him come January. It's clear to see he has no future at Stamford Bridge, with the likes of Marc Cucurella being ahead of him in the pecking order. However, handing him game time will help and improve the possibility of him gaining admirers for when the transfer window reopens."