Two Chelsea stars waiting for Nigeria, England & France call-ups could leave London in January

Chelsea are preparing to trim their bloated midfield roster in the January transfer window, with Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu among those likely to leave, Soccernet.ng reports.

Both players, talented yet underutilized, could be on the move as the London club reshapes its squad.

Chukwuemeka, 21, joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2022 for £20 million but has struggled for regular playing time.

Despite a six-year contract signed upon his arrival, the youngster has made just 32 appearances, with none coming in the Premier League this season.

Eligible to represent England, Austria, or Nigeria internationally, Chukwuemeka faces pressure to elevate his performances to attract national team recognition.

According to a report by TBR Football, Chelsea have offered him to Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, with both clubs reportedly evaluating their interest.

The midfielder, who has also been circulated to clubs across Europe, is open to a move, whether on loan or permanently.

Similarly, Ugochukwu, signed from Rennes for £23 million in August 2023, has endured a tough start to life in England.

The French-Nigerian midfielder is currently on loan at Southampton, where opportunities have been scarce.

Southampton are reportedly seeking to terminate his loan, though no clause exists to facilitate such a move in January.

Chelsea, keen to ensure Ugochukwu gets regular minutes, are exploring alternative loan destinations.

As Chelsea continue to recalibrate under Enzo Maresca, both players face uncertain futures.

However, their talent and potential could make them attractive prospects for clubs looking to strengthen in the January window.