“Top” Chelsea player is “now considering” Stamford Bridge exit this year

Members of the Chelsea squad appear dissatisfied under Enzo Maresca right now, and while the club’s recent downturn in form hasn’t helped matters at Stamford Bridge, many other issues have caused this unrest behind-the-scenes.

Chelsea endure mid-season slump under Maresca

After what was a very promising start to the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign, with some even tipping them to challenge Liverpool and Arsenal for the title this season at one stage, their last 10 games in all competitions haven’t exactly reflected potential champions.

They’ve won just three times in that period, one against lowly Morecambe in the FA Cup third round, with defeats coming against Fulham, Ipswich Town, Man City and Brighton twice in quick succession most recently.

Injuries to Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have complicated matters further, and Chelsea’s decision not to sign a new forward in January has come under scrutiny as a result, with Maresca now left short of attacking options.

During their last 3-0 defeat at Brighton, supporters were heard chanting “we want our Chelsea back”, and Maresca challenged his players in the aftermath of that loss to show much more.

“The reaction is everywhere the same in terms of when you’re winning games the fans are happy and when you don’t win games the fans are upset,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s loss to Brighton.

“In this moment, they are completely right to be upset, especially in this moment of the season with the chance to bring this club where this club has to be. Winning you can go one point from third, you can make the gap bigger with the rest.

“To come here and play in the way we played, not on the ball, in terms of desire, we probably need to show more.”

Potential Chelsea exits are a consistently hot topic, with reliable reports over the winter transfer window indicating that Christopher Nkunku was wanted by Bayern Munich

“Top” Chelsea player now thinking about leaving Stamford Bridge

According to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, writing via his Substack, many more squad members are considering their futures. Phillips claims that one “top” Chelsea player is now also thinking of leaving Stamford Bridge – but out of respect for his source the reporter doesn’t name the star in question. However, he does go into detail about why squad members are unsettled at this moment.

“Sources have confirmed that many of the current Chelsea players in the squad have either become unhappy with playing time and have been looking to leave as a result of that, or have become restless with recent results and are therefore thinking about their futures come the end of this season,” wrote Phillips.

“These players want to play Champions League football, and I have heard from top sources that if they do not get that come the end of this season, there will be a few key players approaching the club to speak about their futures and potentially asking for moves away.

“Of course, they may not get said moves away and there will be a lot of other things that depend on it, such as clauses, or if they even have them.

“But I know of one top Chelsea player in particular who is already now considering his future at the club should they not make Champions League football this season. In respect of my source, I will not name the player, but he is not the only one thinking that way.”

Chelsea next face a tough test away to Aston Villa this weekend, and Maresca is now under pressure to turn the tide.