Whether it’s incoming wonderkids, returning loanees or getting rid of unwanted stars, Chelsea ’s squad looks set for a heavy turnover this summer.
After a season in which Chelsea at one point looked set to rival Liverpool in the Premier League title race, the Blues have tailed off, and fans are frustrated at Enzo Maresca ’s commitment to his style of play.
Often criticised for their style of recruitment, it’s set to be another busy summer at Stamford Bridge.
Here, football.london looks at how Chelsea ’s squad is shaping up as attention turns towards the summer transfer window and the start of the 2025/26 season.
Confirmed incomings
Chelsea have already confirmed a couple of signings for the upcoming season. Brazilian winger Estêvão Willian and Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez will both join the side over summer, having turned 18 since their signings were agreed during mid-2024.
Chelsea are also expected to make Jadon Sancho a permanent signing, despite an underwhelming loan spell in which he has returned three goals and five assists in 28 league games.
20-year-old Andrey Santos will return to the club from a fruitful loan spell at partner club Strasbourg. The Brazilian midfielder has contributed nine goals and three assists in 29 appearances in France.
Potential outgoings
Due to the exceptionally long contracts BlueCo give their signings, only fourth choice goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom will depart the club for free this summer, so there is work to be done to offload those deemed surplus to requirements.
There is a long list of players Maresca does not seem keen on. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Benoît Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah have all received limited opportunities, and may look for futures elsewhere.
There is interest in Christopher Nkunku, both domestically and from abroad, and the Frenchman, who has had his time at SW6 disrupted with injury, looks set to leave.
Several unwanted players have also left the club on loan in the previous two windows and Chelsea will need to find new homes for them.
Last summer, Raheem Sterling, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Armando Broja and Djordje Petrovic left on loan, while Axel Disasi and Ben Chilwell left in January. All of the above are unlikely to have changed Maresca’s opinion on them and will need to be found new clubs.
Bashir Humphreys has spent a positive loan at Burnley and will join them for around £10million due to a promotion clause in the deal.
In contrast, João Felix has not particularly impressed at AC Milan, and with no obligation to buy in the loan deal, he’ll be back in west London this summer.
Potential signings
It’s expected that Chelsea will aim to sign a new centre-back. Dean Huijsen has been put forward as their primary target and they may look to trigger his £51million release clause sooner rather than later.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens has also been recently linked with the club as a new winger is targeted.
Maresca has also made no secret of his desire for an established, world-class striker. Victor Osimhen has previously been linked with the club, but Chelsea will need to offload players to afford the transfer fee and the Nigerian’s wages, with profit and sustainability rules hanging over them.
Chelsea now have a squad stacked with raw, unproven talent and bringing in some experienced professionals this summer would go a long way to forming them into a more functional side.
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Chelsea ended the 2023/24 Premier League season on a high, but it is never quiet at Stamford Bridge and the summer looks set to be one full of news, with question marks over Mauricio Pochettino's future at the club and plenty of talk around transfers.
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