Chelsea are on the hunt for a new manager following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino, and the incoming boss will face some big squad decisions this summer when it comes to both incomings and outgoings.
The Blues rallied late on to put a poor first half of the season behind them and finished sixth, meaning they will be back playing European football next season.
Since taking over the club, the ownership have spent vast sums of money on new signings meaning outgoings are likely required this summer in order to stay in line with the Premier League’s financial regulations.
Here is how their summer transfer window could look…
KEEP
Djordje Petrovic, Marcus Bettinelli, Axel Disasi, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Alfie Gilchrist, Enzo Fernandez, Carney Chukwuemeka, Moises Caicedo, Cesare Casadei, Romeo Lavia, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Gabriel Slonina, Omari Hutchinson
Chelsea have some exciting young talent to build around and there were enough positive signs towards the end of the season to suggest this team is moving in the right direction. The main focus will be on keeping their star players fit, however, after enduring a nightmare with injuries for much of the last campaign.
LET GO
Robert Sanchez, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr, Marc Cucurella, Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling, Ian Maatsen, Romelu Lukaku, Armando Broja, Kepa, Hakim Ziyech, Lewis Hall, Bashir Humphreys, Deivid Washington (loan), Diego Moreira (loan), Angelo (loan), Andrey Santos (loan), David Datro Fofana (loan), Lesley Ugochukwu (loan)
It would not be a great surprise to see another significant turnover of players this summer, as has become the norm at Chelsea under this ownership. Reports suggest some of those who have come through the academy will be sold on in order for the club to be in a better financial position when it comes to Premier League and UEFA rules, because they represent pure profit. Gallagher was instrumental under Pochettino but with no new contract agreed, it looks as though he will head for the exit door.
Chalobah also impressed after returning to the side following injury but is also being heavily linked with a move away. Maatsen, meanwhile, has done well during his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund but is another player who would free up some cash to spend. It also makes sense to move on some of the more recent signings which have not worked out quite as intended, such as Sanchez, Badiashile, Cucurella and Sterling.
Players from the old regime such as Lukaku and Kepa might be more difficult to move on because of their high wages but do not appear to have any future at the club.
WHO THEY COULD SIGN
Giorgi Mamardashvili, Ousmane Diomande, Milos Kerkez, Amadou Onana, Andre, Georgiy Sudakov, Nico Williams, Benjamin Sesko
Given how many new faces have arrived at the club in recent windows, Chelsea should not go overboard this summer when it comes to new signings and should focus on adding to the team where they need reinforcements and after taking into account the players that are leaving.
A new goalkeeper should be high on the list of priorities. Being number one at a club that has ambitions to play Champions League football is probably a step too far for Petrovic at this point and Valencia shot-stopper Mamardashvili would be an upgrade in between the sticks.
In defence, replacing the outgoing Thiago Silva is a must and Sporting’s Diomande has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the world. Should Cucurella leave, the need for a new left-back becomes more crucial given Chilwell’s injury record and Kerkez at Bournemouth is a promising prospect.
Everton midfielder Onana has long been linked with a move away and given Chelsea have already spent over £200m on their starting midfield pair, the 22-year-old represents a solid, and cheaper, rotation option who can provide the team with athleticism in the middle of the pitch. Andre of Brazilian club Fluminense is another exciting youngster who fits Chelsea’s transfer policy and provides further depth in midfield.
Looking further forward, a new striker to provide competition for Jackson should be a key focus. Sesko of RB Leipzig scored 14 goals in the Bundesliga this season and fits the profile of this Chelsea side given his pace and ability to run in behind. Sudakov impressed in the Champions League with Shakhtar Donetsk and Athletic Bilbao’s Williams is another who fits the transfer policy at the club of signing young players with bags of potential.
