
Two Chelsea midfielders are attracting interest from Barcelona sporting director Deco ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports. The Catalan club is said to be keeping a close eye on Romeo Lavia and Carney Chukwuemeka, who could be in line for loan moves as they struggle for regular game time at Stamford Bridge.
Having spent heavily in the summer, Chelsea have made an impressive start to the Premier League season. Under the guidance of new manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues have remained unbeaten in the league since their opening day defeat, with Maresca recently named the Manager of the Month for September.
Despite their positive form, the Italian tactician faces a challenge in managing a large squad, which has inevitably left some players on the fringes. Among those struggling for minutes are Lavia, who has only just returned from a hamstring injury, and Chukwuemeka, who has featured for just 15 minutes this season in a Carabao Cup tie against Barrow.
The limited opportunities for both midfielders have caught Barcelona’s attention. Spanish outlet SPORT suggests that Deco, now overseeing Barcelona’s transfer operations, is interested in adding the pair to bolster his options in January, with loan deals being the most likely course of action.
Lavia has history with the Catalan club, having previously been a target before joining Chelsea two summers ago. Meanwhile, Chukwuemeka has yet to make a Premier League matchday squad this term, adding to speculation that he could benefit from more playing time elsewhere.
Barcelona, who currently top La Liga after winning eight of their first nine games, are dealing with injury concerns in midfield. Key players such as Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and summer signing Dani Olmo have all faced fitness issues. However, head coach Hansi Flick is reportedly undecided about bringing in reinforcements. The German has been impressed by 21-year-old Marco Casado’s performances and is also keen to integrate 17-year-old Marc Bernal into the squad once he recovers from his own injury setback. Additionally, the return of Frenkie de Jong from a lengthy absence could ease the pressure on the club’s midfield.
Should Barcelona follow through with interest in Lavia or Chukwuemeka, a loan move appears the most feasible option. While Chelsea are not necessarily looking to offload core squad members, trimming down the roster could provide better opportunities for young talents like the aforementioned duo.
Furthermore, the Blues may see more departures in January, with Ben Chilwell reportedly on Napoli’s radar. The England international has struggled to find his way into Maresca’s starting lineup, and a move to Serie A could rejuvenate his career.
As Chelsea navigate a congested fixture list and a deep squad, managing player satisfaction will be key for Maresca as he aims to maintain momentum and balance the aspirations of young talents seeking game time.
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