Maresca performs surprise Chelsea transfer U-TURN

Cameron Smith

24 Jan 2025 05:15 CST
3 min read

Enzo Maresca has admitted that Chelsea don’t intend on recalling Andrey Santos or Lesley Ugochukwu from loan, despite recent midfield injuries.

Article continues under the video

Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez both missed the 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday through injury, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall handed his first Premier League start for the club as a result.

The ex-Leicester City star partnered Moises Caicedo in the middle of the park as the Ecuadorian extended his streak to 42 consecutive starts in the English top flight.

However, despite the workload placed on Caicedo’s shoulders and the consistent injury problems suffered by Lavia, Maresca has revealed that Chelsea aren’t planning on signing a new midfielder before the January window closes.

Recalling Santos from Strasbourg or Ugochukwu from Southampton has been touted as an option, but Maresca played down such claims during his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Manchester City on Saturday.

When asked if there would be any recalls in January, Maresca told reporters: “No, we have in this moment, enough players to cover that situation with Moi [Caicedo], Enzo [Fernandez] and Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall]. The intention is not to go for one more midfielder.”

Carney Chukwuemeka is also an option for Maresca, although he hasn’t been included in a single Premier League matchday squad so far this season and has been widely tipped to leave the club before the January window closes.

© IMAGO - Andrey Santos is currently on loan at Strasbourg

Enzo Maresca performs transfer u-turn

While Maresca has admitted that adding a new midfielder isn’t an option that is being explored, Chelsea journalist Simon Phillips previously reported the opposite.

In early January, Phillips posted on Substack: “At this point, we wouldn’t be surprised if one of Lesley Ugochukwu or Andrey Santos is recalled from their loan moves.

“Maresca is worried about Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo having to play so much, and Romeo Lavia has not yet been reliable enough and suffers with constant injuries.”

However, Maresca has now downplayed such reports and Chelsea look set to continue with a threadbare set of midfield options until the summer.