While Chelsea enjoy a strong start in the Premier League this season via a record-shattering squad, there are also some frustrations such as the League Cup exit to Newcastle during the week.
The result came just days after the Blues had seen off the Magpies 2-1 in league action, and provided some insight into where several fringe members of this promising, youthful personnel figure into Enzo Maresca’s plans.
One big moment in the cup exit was when Enzo Fernandez โ a nine-figure signing from Benfica in January 2023 โ lost possession with an overly-risky pass attempt, causing Maresca to turn away in disgust.
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According to The Express, the Argentine World Cup standout who has lost his place in the side for league games to Romeo Lavia is the biggest name of four who could be plying their trade for another club as early as January.
Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Carney Chukwuemeka are also listed as being on borrowed time by the report. The latter was an unused sub on Wednesday, but Disasi and Badiashile had performances to forget in the Chelsea back line for the Newcastle defeat.
It remains to be seen whether Maresca follows through on his occasional comments that this young squad “lack a leader” and recruits one or more players in the January window that would end their incredible streak of league games without fielding a single player aged 28 or older.
But for this quartet of players, forging a future at Stamford Bridge could be a seriously uphill battle from here.
