Chelsea Future in JEOPARDY: 10 Players in a major summer overhaul

Todd Boehly’s plans to revamp Chelsea squad threaten to unsettle team with 10 players set for exit

Chelsea’s bloated roster has become one of the season’s biggest stories, with the Blues presently in 12th place after spending over £600 million on a group that finished third last season.

The buying spree has resulted in some positives, like the Premier League record signing of Enzo Fernandez. However, with players admitting that the squad was too large, as well as reports that players had to sit on the floor and change in the corridors at times this season, it was far from ideal.

Now, the Chelsea hierarchy must start over in the summer, with a massive overhaul required to trip the squad and provide the funds to bring in some new acquisitions. With his recruitment team in place, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are expected to deliver some stability following a difficult year.

They will not be able to make any major decisions, though, until the new manager is named, with former Spurs and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino anticipated to take over. He has played with both a back three and a back four in his career, so he may want to go over the group before making any major judgments.

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With a busy summer ahead, we look at who might go and who will remain with the project in the future.

Goalkeepers

Kepa Arrizabalaga: Once Chelsea’s record signing and still the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, Kepa has earned a return to the starting XI. His superior talent with the ball at his feet to Mendy offers him greater tactical flexibility, and his nine clean sheets in 25 appearances this season is particularly notable. Back in shape and ready to go. KEEP

Mendy, Edouard: Mendy, who was named Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper for 2021, is now second choice at Stamford Bridge. However, at 31, he is unlikely to command a large transfer fee, and if he is content to stay and fight for his place, the Senegalese should be given the opportunity to do so. KEEP

Verdict:

Chelsea has the proper balance of talent and competition in this position, with Marcus Bettinelli just signing a new contract as third choice, and have other areas of the squad to focus on this summer before re-evaluating their goalkeeper situation next season.

Defenders
Wesley Fofana: A knee injury in September, just as his Chelsea career was taking off, was unfortunate, but he has impressed when called upon and appears to have been one of the more prudent purchases under Boehly. The French center-back will only get better from here, and if he can avoid injury, he will be an essential player for years to come. KEEP

Benoit Badiashile: One of Boehly’s long-term signings, with a seven-and-a-half-year contract, inked in January, the Frenchman has made eight Premier League starts but has failed to establish himself as the first choice. Despite the possibility of a loan deal, he is worth keeping around as a senior France international at the age of 22. His left-footedness is also a huge asset. KEEP.

Kalidou Koulibaly: One of Boehly’s marquee purchases this summer, the former Napoli defender does not appear to be the man that dominated Serie A for several seasons. The 31-year-old has looked uneasy at times this season, and with three years remaining on a £150,000-per-week contract, it’s time to cut their losses. SELL

Trevor Chalobah: While the current surge of youth players into the first team has been welcomed, it appears that Chalobah will be a casualty of the squad’s progress. While he has impressed at times, he is a difficult player to fit into the squad and could have a high resale value to other Premier League clubs or even Champions League clubs abroad. SELL

Thiago Silva: Despite being 38 years old, the Brazilian has continued to defy his advancing years this season and is still one of the first names on the team sheet. However, he has publicly expressed some concerns about the club’s management and may require assurances if he is to complete the final year of his contract. KEEP

Marc Cucurella: Due to his high transfer fee, Cucurella has had mixed performances this season, and some supporters may be tempted to sell him. He hasn’t been helped by a £60 million price tag, but he’s worth keeping around because of the competition he provides at left-back and as a left-sided center-back cover. KEEP

Ben Chilwell: When fit, the England defender is a great threat on the left side and, at 26 years old, has many more years in him. He might be a little iffy defensively at times, but the Blues are unlikely to find a better alternative for the role. KEEP

James, Reece: James appeared to be one of the finest players in the Premier League at the start of the season, but injuries cut short his season. A full pre-season and a new manager might get the England defender back to his best, and it’s difficult to think he’s still only 23 years old. KEEP

Cesar Azpilicueta: A club mainstay and true leader, while he does not look to have the same presence as in his early years, it would be foolish to fire a Champions League-winning captain. His leadership and knowledge of the squad will be valuable assets to any new manager, and he can still play right-back or in a back-three for the remainder of his contract. KEEP

Hall, Lewis: Four Premier League starts at the age of 18 show the club’s faith in the left-sided defender. A flexible alternative who can also play in midfield, a loan move to the Championship next season might catapult the teenager into a starting role in the future. LOAN

Verdict:

Selling a couple of players and bringing back Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto could start to reveal the long-term fruition of Boehly’s transfer strategy. However, the temptation to bring in a big-name center-back to provide some steel for what could be another transitional season exists.

Midfielders

 Enzo Fernandez: A World Cup winner, Fernandez has rapidly excelled at Chelsea and has the potential to be one of the top midfielders in the world for many years to come. He is also under contract with the club until 2031, so there will be no pressure to sell a potentially world-class player. KEEP

Mateo Kovacic: The Croatian, whose excellent ability to drive a team forward has made him a popular figure at Stamford Bridge, could be at a crossroads in his Blues career. The arrival of Fernandez and the fact that he is in the final year of his contract could mean that the 29-year-old is released this summer. SELL

Conor Gallagher: This season, all three Chelsea managers have relied on the Chelsea academy product to be a willing runner. His pressing displays suggest that he has the potential to be a captain in the mold of Jordan Henderson at Liverpool, and he is worth keeping around despite not being the first choice right now. KEEP

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: After charming to deceive during his Chelsea career, the imposing midfielder is now 27 and it is likely that he will depart the club. Some managers have liked the Englishman, with Maurizio Sarri and Thomas Tuchel picking him in big games, but he needs to be the first choice in his prime, and the time has come for him to leave. SELL

Kante, Ngolo: This season, as a wonderful servant and a world-class player, has revealed the World Cup and Champions League winner’s human fragility. Contract talks have not concluded ahead of his current agreement expiring, despite the fact that he has only made six league appearances, but it may be worthwhile to maintain hold of the Frenchman. KEEP

Carney Chukwuemeka: Since joining Aston Villa, Chukwuemeka has played just 224 Premier League minutes. However, he has shown promise and appears to be a good long-term acquisition, and with a transitional summer ahead, he could be kept around to provide depth despite the lure of a loan deal to a league like the Bundesliga. KEEP

Mason Mount: Following the worst season of his Chelsea career thus far, Mount has sparked interest after reportedly turning down a proposal to extend his contract beyond the end of his June 2024 contract expiry date. However, with clubs such as Liverpool and Arsenal reportedly interested, the 24-year-old is undeniably a top player, and the Blues may come to regret not fighting to keep the England international. KEEP

Verdict:

Allowing Kante to leave could come back to haunt Chelsea, but with a bloated wage bill, it could be time for some new blood, including the expected arrival of Christopher Nkunku. Kovacic’s prospective departure appears to have the ability to generate a big fee and save some costs, but it all relies on how the incoming manager chooses to play.

Attackers

Kai Havertz: The 23-year-old has suffered as a result of his adaptability, with different Chelsea managers unable to pin down the German’s position. He joined the club as a number 10 but possesses the athleticism to play as a striker, a challenge Pochettino overcame with Dele Alli at Spurs. This is a difficult one. KEEP

Mykhaylo Mudryk: The Ukrainian has not reached the heights predicted after joining Shakhtar, but he will remain with the club until his contract expires in 2031. A whole pre-season with his new colleagues could be exactly what the Ukrainian needs and a new manager will have seen plenty to work with. KEEP

Raheem Sterling: Arriving last summer alongside Koulibaly, both players have failed to live up to their expectations. However, with four years remaining on his contract, it is unlikely that any club would be willing to pay a fee that would provide a reasonable return on Boehly’s investment. At the age of 28, he has the potential to return to his peak form. KEEP

Hudson-Odoi, Callum: After spending the season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen with lackluster results, the 22-year-old may be ready to move on. He has one year left on his current contract and, given his enormous potential, would be a viable choice for most Premier League clubs. SELL

Christian Pulisic: With the acquisition of Mudryk, the American was always going to have to depart Chelsea at some point. He has slipped down the pecking order since January, but given his World Cup heroics for the USA, he should have plenty of choices. SELL

Noni Madueke was a perplexing transfer, having only played 306 Premier League minutes and been left off of Chelsea’s Champions League roster. His performance against Arsenal at the beginning of May, on the other hand, was impressive, and his ability to cut inside from the right wing is a unique asset inside the club. KEEP

Hakim Ziyech: Despite his obvious talent, Hakim Ziyech always appeared to be a bit part player at Chelsea under several managers. A brilliant talent, without a doubt, but it has never worked out for the Moroccan, who should leave this summer for a reasonable cost with two years remaining on his contract. SELL

Romelu Lukaku: With only 31 Premier League goals this season, Chelsea have clearly been lacking a center forward. The Belgian is expected to rejoin the club this summer. He has looked crisper since February, scoring in the Champions League quarter-final against Benfica, and appears ready to keep his starting spot for the semi-finals after a slow start to the season at Inter. KEEP

Broja, Armando: The striker’s injury in December may have had a greater impact on Chelsea’s season than many realized at the time. He will return this summer and will aim to compete for the starting striker position on the first day of the 2023/24 season following a thorough pre-season. KEEP

Datro Fofana, David: Only an hour of Premier League action this season for the Ivorian demonstrates how much work remains to be done, which might be done at a lower level for the time being. LOAN

Pierre Emerick Aubamayang: Bringing Aubameyang back to London was always an odd idea, and the Gabonese striker has done nothing to disprove the skeptics. He has a year left on his contract but has to be let go as soon as feasible. SELL

Verdict:

With Lukaku and Broja back, Chelsea’s wingers may be able to play more natural roles next season, with Havertz moving into a free position. They could yet sign a new striker, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen looking intriguing but doubtful. Chelsea, on the other hand, may have to accept where they are and make do with what they have.

Generally, Chelsea may be forced to let some players go either permanently or on loan. Earlier on, Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp claimed to feel sorry for Chelsea but also advised them that you can’t bring top players together and expect results. He said that is like having two different dressing rooms in football which does not bring togetherness and teamwork. 

We are yet to see what happens if Chelsea remains in the premier league in this miserable season.