Maresca came in for questioning at his pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of the Cardiff City game in the Carabao Cup as reporters sought to clarify the comments he had made after Saturday’s win over Everton.

Chelsea have not made a decision on whether to sell him, but clubs may try to lure him away with the promise of more first-team minutes. The attacker’s contract situation is another factor — it expires in 2027, although there is an option in place to extend for another 12 months.

Teenage centre-back Cassiano Kiala, 16, is highly-rated at Bayern Munich and has been included on Vincent Kompany's bench on seven occasions already this season

FootballTransfers runs through the latest Chelsea transfer news, including updates on Yan Diomande and Kees Smit.

Chelsea are keeping a close eye on the situation of Barcelona midfielder Marc Casadó. Transfer Talk has the latest news and rumors.

Chelsea ownership group BlueCo have agreed to sign young Burkinabe midfielder Mohamed Zongo from Sporting Cascades, who will first join Strasbourg to develop.

Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has attracted interest from the Premier League and across Europe after bursting onto the scene at club and youth international level

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca admitted Nicolas Jackson may leave the club before the end of the transfer window. Jackson, his representatives and Chelsea are exploring a possible move away from Stamford Bridge in the final weeks of the transfer window.

Marc Cucurella claimed he always expected Chelsea teammate Moises Caicedo to succeed back when they were at Brighton.

At centre back there is no urgency either. Levi Colwill is expected to return next year from his knee issue, and Mamadou Sarr will come back from Strasbourg with the intention of being evaluated for first team involvement. Chelsea’s confidence in their defensive future is reflected in how still the club appear in this area.

Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki is generating interest from top Premier League clubs. Transfer Talk has the latest news and rumors.

Former Blues midfielder can deliver more December misery at Stamford Bridge after bouncing back in style under David Moyes