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Enzo Maresca has issued fresh updates on the respective futures of five Chelsea players ahead of their Premier League clash against West Ham United.
The Blues drew a blank in their season-opener against Crystal Palace and although Nicolas Jackson, who scored twice at London Stadium last season, can be selected after serving a suspension, Maresca has confirmed he will not feature with the expectation remaining that he will depart.
"He's available but he's not going to be part of the squad because, as we already said, we have two strikers, we have two players in that position and also we know something can happen before the transfer window closes," Maresca revealed on Thursday morning during a press conference.
"No idea [if he is close to leaving], to be honest. No idea. You know already from last season that I prefer to be focused on training sessions, prepare the game and these kind of things. I don't know."
In addition to the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, that Maresca referenced, Jamie Gittens has also joined with another two frontline additions being targeted. Talks to sign both Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons are ongoing with Manchester United and RB Leipzig, respectively.
As such, more exits are expected with Maresca issuing a clear update when asked specifically about Christopher Nkunku, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling.
"Christo is with us - like Nico - but it's the same answer as Nico. And the other two players [Chilwell and Sterling], they are training apart, waiting for some solution," he said. Carney Chukwuemeka is another that is free to leave with Borussia Dortmund, where he spent the latter half of last season on loan, in advanced discussions to bring him back.
The German giants are also keen on Aaron Anselmino with the Chelsea boss firmly of the belief he must leave for one clear reason.
Asked about the Argentine, he added: "Aaron is training with us. He's training very hard. He's a fantastic boy. Good player, but he needs to play games. He needs to go, he needs to play games. So he's another player that is waiting for a solution."
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Despite the fact he can cover at centre-back, an area depleted by injuries, Anselmino has been given the green-light to depart. Maresca has already publicly admitted he would like to snap-up a new central defender, but Josh Acheampong's display against Palace may have changed his stance.
"I already said that we are looking for an internal solution and I showed that last game against Palace, and we'll see what happens," he admitted. "I said and I repeat again, probably I need to improve my English. We are looking for an internal solution and we'll see if something happens."
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