Enzo Maresca green lights Chelsea 'January fire sale' with FIVE players allowed to leave the club

Enzo Maresca has reportedly sanctioned a Chelsea fire sale ahead of the January transfer window, with FIVE players set to leave the club.

Chelsea have emerged as surprise Premier League title contenders following their impressive start to the season.

They have recorded 35 points from 18 games ahead of resuming their league campaign against Ipswich Town on Monday.

Maresca could delve into the market to recruit new stars to strengthen his side's chances of winning silverware this season.

Current players could be offloaded to make room for new signings.

And, according to BBC Sport, FIVE players could be departing Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window.

Ben Chilwell is the biggest name believed to be on the chopping block, with the 28-year-old making just one appearance this season.

Carney Chukwuemeka's future appears to lie away from Chelsea, too, with the club demanding his full £40 million release clause.

Maresca has admitted that both Chilwell and Chukwuemeka are free to leave on permanent deals.

"Probably they are the first [to say] that they want to leave because they train every day, because they want to play games and if they don't play games probably they are thinking of leaving," he said of Chilwell and Chukwuemeka before Christmas. "Each player is a bit different situation, so we're going to see if some of them are coming and knocking on the door to say 'I want to leave'. We will try to find a solution."

Carney Chukwuemeka in action for Chelsea. Image: Getty

Cesare Casadei could also leave Chelsea in January, but the Blues are thought to be exploring a loan deal to give the 21-year-old minutes.

Feyenoord and Monza are both interested in signing the Italian midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Leicester City.

Harvey Vale, who graduated from the club's youth academy, is set leave Chelsea with less than six months left on his existing deal.

The 21-year-old has attracted interest from clubs in the Championship and Europe.

Alex Matos could leave Chelsea on a permanent deal, too.