Enzo Maresca has gone back on his word over two members of Chelsea 'bomb squad'

Chelsea’s young talents Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei have been welcomed back into the first-team fold, despite previous claims from Enzo Maresca that there would be no return for the club’s sidelined stars.

Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over in 2022, Chelsea has splashed out more than £1billion on fresh talent, with several now finding themselves out of favour at Stamford Bridge.

While some, like Raheem Sterling, managed to secure transfers before the window closed, Chukwuemeka and Casadei remained at the club amid transfer rumours.

The pair, previously part of a ‘bomb squad’ of players banished from first-team training, have now been given a second chance and are back in the Chelsea line-up.

According to The Athletic, both Chukwuemeka and Casadei were considered for sale, but despite the ongoing transfer activity in other European countries, neither will be sold as they appear to be back in Maresca’s plans.

Although Chukwuemeka and Casadei will stay, it is unclear how much game time either will get in the coming months, especially as Maresca had previously painted a grim picture for any players who failed to secure transfers.

He stated: “The only thing I can say is the ones who are going to get minutes are the ones who I think can help us

“It’s not just Raheem [Sterling]. It’s all the players who are training apart. The moment the transfer window closes, they are not going to get minutes.”

Before reconsidering his stance, Maresca pointed out that Chukwuemeka might struggle for game time if he remained at the club amidst rumours of a loan switch.

The Italian coach further commented: “Carney, I think he is a very good player. With us, is he going to play 35 games? I’m not sure.

“The problem is, because of some injuries in the past, I think the best for him is to play 30 or 35 games in a row, to show himself that he is fit and how good he is because he is very good.”