Chelsea have reintegrated Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei into first-team training after failing to secure exits for the duo during the summer transfer window.
The Blues separated a number of squad members from first-team training as they searched for potential buyers during the window. Having previously secured exits for the likes of Ian Maatsen, Hakim Ziyech, Omari Hutchinson and Lewis Hall alongside the departure of Thiago Silva, Chelsea still needed to facilitate outgoing transfers for a number of players.
Conor Gallagher, Tino Anjorin, Romelu Lukaku and Angelo Gabriel were all later sold, while loans were secured for Andrey Santos, Alfie Gilchrist, Lesley Ugochukwu, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Djorde Petrovic, Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah.
However, there were stars who were not able to leave Stamford Bridge before last week’s deadline. Chukwuemeka and Casadei will now be reintegrated into the first-team squad, with both recently included on their ‘A’ list for the Conference League.
Chukwuemeka was reported to have a £40million release clause but Chelsea had to bat away loan offers for the former Aston Villa attacker, with no permanent proposals being made.
Midfielder Casadei spent the first half of last season on loan at Leicester City but was brought back in January to boost numbers in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.

Arsenal manager, Jonas Eidevall, says the current Women’s Champions League qualification format is a relic from the past that impacts injury risk.
The Gunners progressed to the second round with a 1-0 victory over Rosenborg in Saturday’s first-round final, having beaten Rangers 6-0 three days before.
English clubs are set to avoid the mini-league format next season when UEFA launches a single-league stage featuring 18 teams.
However, Eidevall is unhappy with scheduling, claiming the Women’s Super League (WSL) and UEFA have zero concerns over a lack of recovery time between games that are 72 hours apart.
“Now we’re through it, I can say it, it’s lucky an English team will not have to play in these mini tournaments again. For all the excitement, it is a relic from the past,” said Eidevall.
“This is just done from a budget perspective. That’s why they cram it in on Saturdays, to save another hotel night [by playing on a Sunday].
“All research around the world shows there’s a massive difference between 72 hours and 96 hours recovery after a game. That part, I just can’t get my head around.”
In the WSL, clubs choose their own kick-off times within the designated fixture window for each round and must approve broadcast selections.

Chairman Todd Boehly and majority owners Clearlake Capital are both prepared to take full control of the club.
Boehly has gradually lost power despite being named co-controlling owner after the club’s purchase from Roman Abramovich for £2.5billion in July 2022, with Clearlake, which owns a 61.5per cent stake, in primary control at Stamford Bridge.
Clearlake co-founder Behdad Eghbali has become the most hands-on figure within the ownership group since Boehly stepped down as interim sporting director in January 2023.
Multiple figures in the senior hierarchy now recognise there is a rift between two main blocs, Clearlake and the group allied to Boehly, including billionaire partners Hansjorg Wyss and Mark Walter, which owns the other 38.5% of the club.
Any rift has previously been denied by sources at the club.
Clearlake does not want to sell any of its stake in the club and is open to expanding it.
But Boehly also wants to buy out that stake and is keen to see the situation resolved quickly.
The two parties have matching rights and blocking options, should third parties come to the table.
The issue has been kept from most involved in the sporting side of the club, but some senior figures believe work on revamping or moving stadium has slowed due to the situation.
As part of a written agreement, the chairman will change every five years, which is due to see Boehly step down in 2027.
Clearlake would need to approve any sale of Boehly’s shares to a third party.
Since the 2022 takeover, Chelsea have spent over £1billion on new signings and were criticised for hoarding players during the summer transfer window, with 42 senior players on the books at one point, although that number was cut to 36.
Current manager Enzo Maresca was hired from Leicester in July to replace Mauricio Pochettino, who left Stamford Bridge after only one season in charge.
Pochettino, who departed by mutual consent, was the latest boss to leave under the new owners, who had previously sacked Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.