Enzo Maresca has delivered his honest verdict on rumours linking Christopher Nkunku with a move away from Chelsea amid speculation that he is unhappy with his playing time.

Enzo Maresca says striker Christopher Nkunku is a big part of his plans at Chelsea and is not going to be sold in January. Nkunku’s future at Stamford Bridge has come into question of late with a source close to the player telling The Athletic last week that the forward is not too happy with how things are going right now.

The full transcript from Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca at the Voith-Arena as the Italian previewed tomorrow evening's UEFA Conference League match against FC Heidenheim

Chelsea welcomed back youngster Josh Acheampong to first-team training ahead of their Conference League clash against 1. FC Heidenheim.

Gusto and Neto have not travelled with the squad for their Conference League clash with Bundesliga strugglers Heidenheim. French defender Gusto missed Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Leicester because of illness while Portugal winger Neto was injured during the recent international break.

Chelsea academy defender Josh Acheampong trained with the first-team squad this morning (Wednesday) — a sign that his exile from competitive action could be over. As The Athletic exclusively revealed last month,