Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has provided insight into the future of midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall amid speculation linking him with a return to Leicester City.
The 26-year-old joined Chelsea from Leicester in July 2024 for a reported £30 million, reuniting with Maresca, who also made the switch to Stamford Bridge earlier that summer.
Since his arrival, Dewsbury-Hall has struggled for regular first-team opportunities, making only five substitute appearances in the Premier League.
His starts have been limited to cup competitions, including the Europa Conference League and the Carabao Cup.
Notably, he scored in Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League, a match that also featured a hat-trick from 18-year-old Marc Guiu.
Leicester City, keen to bolster their midfield options, are reportedly interested in bringing Dewsbury-Hall back to the King Power Stadium during the January transfer window. Addressing these rumours following the win against Shamrock Rovers, Maresca stated:
“Unfortunately, I cannot say that [he is definitely going to stay], not about Kiernan, about all the squad, because when the transfer window is open, unfortunately, anything can happen.
“So I’m not focused on January, the only thing I can say about Kiernan is that we are very happy in the way he’s working, we are very happy about his performance, and this is my thought about Kiernan.”
Dewsbury-Hall’s limited playing time at Chelsea contrasts sharply with his influential role at Leicester during the previous season, where he was instrumental in their Championship title win, contributing 12 goals and 14 assists.
His lack of minutes at Chelsea has led to increased speculation about a potential move, with reports suggesting that Leicester are considering re-signing him to strengthen their squad.
Maresca’s comments indicate that while the club is satisfied with Dewsbury-Hall’s professionalism and contributions when called upon, they are open to the possibility of his departure if a suitable offer arises.
As the January transfer window approaches, both clubs and the player will need to assess their options carefully.
For Leicester, bringing back a familiar and proven talent could provide a mid-season boost as they aim to solidify their position in the Premier League.
For Dewsbury-Hall, a return to regular first-team football might be the priority to continue his development and maintain his career trajectory.
The situation remains fluid, and developments are expected as the transfer window opens. Both clubs will be monitoring the situation closely, with Dewsbury-Hall’s future likely to be a topic of significant interest in the coming weeks.
