European giants eyeing up move for Chelsea duo in January : Reports

AC Milan are reportedly contemplating signing Chelsea midfielders Cesare Casadei and Camei Chukwuemeka when the transfer window reopens in January. The Rossoneri are seeking an alternative for Ismael Bennacer, who's set to be out for a while after sustaining a calf injury.

In September, Milan confirmed on their website that the Algerian has had surgery in Finland on his right calf and that he would be out of action for four months. As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport (via Tribal Football), the Rossoneri are contemplating various options, one of them being Casadei.

The 21-year-old - who has made 13 appearances across competitions for the Blues - is a self-confessed Milan fan as he once said (as per Tribal Football):

"As a child, Kaká was my idol and I supported Milan. However, I became a professional and my first team in Serie A was Inter, with whom I have no grudge for the transfer."

The Italy U21 international has made just two appearances for Enzo Maresca's side this season. He played the full 90 minutes in the 4-2 home win over Gent in the Blues' UEFA Europa Conference League opener and the 5-0 home win over Barrow in the EFL Cup opener. He's contracted with the Blues till 2028.

Meanwhile, Chukwuemeka - also contracted with the club till 2028 - has made 28 appearances across competitions with the Blues, registering two goals and an assist. He has appeared just once this season - in the aforementioned Barrow win.

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What's next for Chelsea?

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca

Chelsea have made a good start to the season after opening the Enzo Maresca era with a 2-0 home loss to four-time defending Premier League champions Manchester City.

Since then, the Blues have lost just once in 10 games across competitions, winning seven. The lone loss was a 2-1 reverse at Servette in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off, which they won 3-2 on aggregate.

They have won their openers against Gent and Barrow respectively in the Conference League and EFL Cup. Meanwhile, Maresca's side are fourth in the Premier League after seven games - four points off leaders Liverpool (18) - whom they meet next on October 20 after the ongoing international break.

A 1-1 home draw with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League snapped the Blues' five-game winning run across competitions. Can they return to winning ways against the league leaders next weekend?