Bundesliga giants open talks with Chelsea over move for 21-year-old midfielder: Reports

Borussia Dortmund have reportedly opened talks with Chelsea to add Carney Chukwuemeka to their ranks in the January transfer window.

Chukwuemeka, 21, left Aston Villa to join the west London giants in a potential £20 million deal in the summer of 2022. However, he has failed to cement himself as a vital squad member at the Stamford Bridge outfit so far.

So far this campaign, Chukwuemeka has made only five appearances in all competitions for Enzo Maresca's outfit. He has featured in 130 minutes of action and has yet to be named in a Premier League matchday squad.

Now, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Dortmund have started talks with the Blues to rope in Chukwuemeka on a short-term loan move. BVB head coach Nuri Sahin is said to be an admirer of the player.

Chukwuemeka, whose current contract will expire in June 2028, has produced two goals and one assist in 32 overall appearances for Chelsea.

Pundit singles out Chelsea star for club's form

Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin has asserted that his former club were never meant to be in a Premier League title race this season following their recent slump in form. He told Grosvenor Sport (h/t Metro):

"They were never in title contention in my mind. I was quite bullish in saying that I thought they would finish in the top four before the season had started because things ended alright under Mauricio Pochettino last season. The maturity of some of the younger players was becoming a bit more obvious and they've obviously got some very decent players given the money they have spent."

Nevin, who represented Chelsea between 1983 and 1988, concluded:

"Enzo Maresca has been right in saying there is still maturing to be done and that his players still need to learn, but their recent form could come down to something as simple as Nicolas Jackson missing his chances. His movement is good but those chances can change the games, it's not quite as simple as just that but they'd still be cruising if he scored two or three more goals."

So far, Nicolas Jackson has found the back of the net nine times and laid out three assists in 19 Premier League matches for the west London club.

Chelsea, on the other hand, are currently in fourth place in the 2024-25 Premier League table with 36 points, 10 off top spot, from 20 matches.