Maresca needs to trim his squad to add new playersplaceholder image
Maresca needs to trim his squad to add new players | Getty Images
Chelsea are set to offload players aplenty during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea have a big summer ahead as they look to take a step towards being Premier League title contenders. The Blues are currently in the United States, competing in the FIFA Club World Cup, needing a result of some sort on Wednesday to progress to the Round of 16.
Enzo Maresca’s men enjoyed a season of progress last term, but such progress will be expected to continue as they continue to spend significantly on new talent. Chelsea have been among the biggest spenders in the Premier League in recent times, and we have seen plenty of turnover within the Blues squad as a result.
This summer will be no different, and as Chelsea set about strengthening their squad with new recruits, there will have to be departures. Maresca wants another new striker this summer, while he is also said to want a centre-back, winger and potentially a goalkeeper.
Chelsea must make room for those signings, both in their squad and on the balance sheet, with Profit and Sustainability rules requiring clubs to limit their losses. Thankfully for the Blues, they regularly have a very large playing staff, allowing them to balance spending by offloading a large number of players each summer.
This summer, there are as many as 10 players who have been marked for exit, with Chelsea ready to listen to offers for Christopher Nkunku, Kepa Arrizbalaga, Djordje Petrovic, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka and Armando Broja.
In the case of Nkunku, Chelsea value him at £65million, according to The Athletic, but it’s unclear whether they will find an offer of that size, with Manchester United reportedly showing an interest, but they are now prioritising other options.
Petrovic is said to have an agreement with Chelsea that he can leave if his £25million asking price is met. while Broja is said to carry an asking price of £17million. Broja will be disappointed to have never had a real opportunity at Chelsea, an opportunity that should have come last season but his injuries have been ill-timed.
Kepa looks as though he will find a number two spot at Arsenal, while Ben Chilwell should be able to find a Premier League gig after a loan spell with Crystal Palace last term. Sterling will also be hoping to find a Premier League job, but he disappointed at Arsenal last season and will surely have to take a big pay cut.
Jackson and Madueke latest
According to a report from The Athletic, Chelsea have a somewhat maleable stance over key attackers Nicolas Jackson and Nono Madueke. Both players have found their names in transfer rumours over recent weeks despite being key to Chelsea’s efforts last season.
The report claims the Blues are not trying to sell either of those players, but they are not seen in the same way as Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo, who would not be sold for any fee. That suggests Chelsea would consider sizable offers for the two players, but it is not their preference to sell.
Continue Reading