Chelsea: Enzo Maresca admits Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi could leave during January transfer window | OneFootball

Blues hit by shortage of defenders but Trevoh Chalobah’s return adds to competition for places

Enzo Maresca has not ruled the possibility of Tosin Adarabioyo or Axel Disasi leaving Chelsea this month.

Chalobah joins Adarabioyo, Disasi and Levi Colwill as central defenders available for Monday’s game against Wolves, though Colwill is nursing a minor knock. 18-year-old academy product Josh Acheampong has also deputised at centre-back in recent weeks, starting the last two league games.

Despite the supposed shortage of centre-back options, there have been reports that Disasi is wanted by clubs in the Bundesliga and Serie A, with Adarabioyo linked with Brighton.

Chelsea manager Maresca explained that the club do not plan to lose either player but that all eventualities are possible this month.

Trevoh Chalobah has returned to Chelsea after a loan spell with Crystal Palace

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

“At the moment they are both us,” Maresca said of Disasi and Adarabioyo.

“The intention is not to allow them to go, but we are in January and anything can happen.”

Chelsea have seen their form halted in recent weeks by a run of five straight league games without a win, partly due to inefficiency in front of goal.

Maresca has been pleased with the level of Chelsea’s performances but admitted frustration at missed chances.

“For sure, when you score goals, it helps to win games,” said Maresca.

“If you analyse game by game — for instance, the last one against Bournemouth — it was probably one of our best first halves. Scoring the second one, probably the game completely changed.

“The [Crystal] Palace one, we were 1-0 up until 82 minutes, having five or six clear chances. If you are clinical and score the second one, the game is changed. The previous game [against] Ipswich, the same happened.”

The Italian added: “I am not saying we are fantastic and that we just need more goals. I think we need to improve many, many things. But, for sure, in these games where we didn't win, probably being a little bit more clinical we would be at least three of four more points. It would be a completely different picture.”