Enzo Maresca admits that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is one of the Chelsea players that could leave the club during the January transfer window.
Dewsbury-Hall joined Chelsea from Leicester City in July for £30million, but has yet to start a single Premier League game for the club. The majority of his 15 appearances have come in the Conference League and Carabao Cup instead.
Maresca was the 26-year-old’s manager at Leicester last season, where he played a major role in their promotion from the Championship. But despite being pleased with what the midfielder has shown since working with him at Stamford Bridge, he has used him just five times as a substitute in the league.
When asked if Dewsbury-Hall is definitely staying next month, Chelsea’s head coach said: “Unfortunately I can not say that about Kiernan or about all of the squad because when the window is open, anything can happen. The only thing I can say about Kiernan is that we are very happy with the way he is working and his performances.”
Dewsbury-Hall, who scored his second goal for the club in their 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers on Thursday, revealed in pre-season that he hoped his move to Chelsea would improve his chances of getting in the England squad.
Maresca did not make it clear whether he was referring to the possibility of Dewsbury-Hall leaving permanently or on loan, but did say the decision whether to stay or go is up to the midfielder.
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He added: “We don’t want one of our players to leave. The problem is sometimes the question is more for them. If they say ‘you don’t want me to leave but I am not happy and want to play more’, in that case we are not going to say ‘no, you have to stay’.
“It’s a matter of an agreement between the club and the player. The only thing I can say is I am happy with Kiernan, then we will see.”
Maresca has also said he has not decided yet whether Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia or Wesley Fofana will be added to the squad for the knock-out phase. Chelsea, who qualified for the last 16 as winners of the group phase, can make three changes to the squad before the deadline on February 6.
(Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
