Chelsea news: Christopher Nkunku, Renato Veiga and Carney Chukwuemeka express desire to leave Blues

Chelsea are making waves in the transfer window once again, but this time, it’s their sales that are grabbing the most attention.

Here, Transfer News Blitz writer Nicole Powell examines the three players who have struggled for minutes under Enzo Maresca as they consider other options.

Christopher Nkunku: No minutes, no pleasure

Christopher Nkunku joined Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, spending most of his first season sidelined due to injury.

In his 14 appearances under the Argentine, Nkunku scored three goals and displayed sparks of the kind of football he was brought on for.

However, in the Frenchman’s first fully fit season as a Blue, he has not hit the heights he was expected to hit.

Although standing as the club’s second top scorer with 13 goals, only behind Cole Palmer, including a hattrick which came in the third round of the EFL Cup against Barrow, Nkunku’s performances have been subpar.

Nkunku has not been a particularly bright spark for his side, and his performances have been underwhelming, even when he has managed to get his name on the scoresheet.

The former RB Leipzig player has started in every game outside of the Premier League this season.

Maresca has started the forward in only three of 21 Premier League fixtures this season, sending a message that Nkunku is a ‘Team B’ player.

Seeking starting minutes in a main team, Nkunku has expressed a desire to leave Chelsea.

Bayern Munich have emerged as a key contender for the attacker, having reportedly already agreed on personal terms with him.

It is also reported that a move to Chelsea for Mathys Tel is intertwined with the Nkunku deal, meaning, should Tel reject offers from the Blues, the German club will most likely lose out on Nkunku.

Renato Veiga: Switching positions

Portuguese defender, Renato Veiga joined Chelsea in the summer of 2024 to the delight of Chelsea fans far and wide.

He has made 18 appearances since becoming a Blue, scoring two goals and providing an assist, all of which have come in the UEFA Conference League.

Just like Nkunku, the young defender has started in every game outside of the Premier League under Maresca.

The defender has started only one league game and come off the bench six times, despite being named in the squad for 19 of Chelsea’s 21 games.

Given his inexperience, Maresca’s decision to develop him in ‘less important’ competitions was logical.

However, much like Nkunku, Veiga is unhappy with his lack of minutes in the Premier League and is open to leaving the London club.

Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund are reportedly interested in signing him.

Should Chelsea succeed in selling Viega, it may come back to bite them.

Veiga is one of three left-backs that Chelsea employs, with the other two being Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell.

With Chilwell’s Chelsea career practically over and Veiga’s potential sale, Chelsea will have no one suitable to cover Cucurella in case of injuries, suspensions, or rest days.

Notably, though, Veiga reportedly wants to move to a club where he can get regular football, and play as a centre-back.

This may make things more complicated for Chelsea in coming to an agreement with their player.

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Carney Chukwuemeka: The young star who didn’t get a chance to shine

Carney Chukwuemeka joined the Tuchel-run Chelsea from Aston Villa for £18 million in 2022.

In his second season as a Blue, Chukwuemeka missed 32 games due to injury.

However, when fit and played by Pochettino, the young Englishman impressed, proving to be a good signing by Clearlake.

In his 12 appearances last season, he had two goals and an assist.

Following bright performances in an injury-ridden season, it was expected that Chukwuemeka would enjoy a positive season under Maresca.

However, that has been far from the case as the attacker has made only five appearances this season, despite being fit.

Chukwuemeka hasn’t been named in a single Premier League matchday squad, marking him as a very likely sale for most of the season so far.

Multiple top European clubs, including AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, have reportedly expressed interest in the young midfielder.

With Chelsea reportedly open to a loan move in January, Strasbourg, the Blues' sister club, are also allegedly actively exploring a deal.

Follow all the latest January window rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.

READ MORE: Chelsea analysis: Five players Chelsea should sign and sell in the January transfer window