Borussia Dortmund join West Ham in race for Chelsea midfielder | OneFootball

Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka has reportedly attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund, with a move away from Stamford Bridge this month becoming increasingly likely.

Chukwuemeka was whisked away from his boyhood club Aston Villa during Chelsea's free-spending summer of 2022. The England Under-21 international has been afforded just five senior starts during his two-and-a-half years in west London since a £20m arrival.

A combination of competition for places and a ruinous run of injuries has been behind Chukwuemeka's struggles. The long-limbed midfielder appeared to have earned a place in Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI back in August 2023, but suffered a severe knee injury 15 minutes after scoring his first Chelsea goal against West Ham.

The 21-year-old hasn't made a single Premier League appearance under Pochettino's successor, Enzo Maresca, and is thought to be keen on securing a January move to earn more first-team football. Borussia Dortmund are "closely monitoring" the situation, per Sky Sport Germany.

Carney Chukwuemeka has been limited to appearances in the Carabao Cup and Europa Conference League / Daniel Kopatsch/GettyImages

West Ham United have previously been linked with Chukwuemeka - and his underused teammate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Chelsea are thought to have priced the former at £40m, but would be willing to accept a loan deal in winter ahead of a permanent move in the summer.

Chukwuemeka isn't the only Chelsea player on his way out of Stamford Bridge this year. Italian midfielder Cesare Casadei has been the subject of intense interest from Torino over the winter window, but now may be on his way to Napoli after Antonio Conte's side entered the race for his signature, per Gianluca Di Marzio.

Much like Chukwuemeka, Casadei is a promising young midfielder who hasn't been afforded a single minute of Premier League football. The 21-year-old is no stranger to Maresca, spending the first half of last season on loan at his Leicester City, but hasn't convinced his compatriot of his talent this term.