Chelsea's bloated squad has become one of the stories of the season, with the new ownership spending over £600million on a squad which finished third last season, with the Blues now in 12th place.
The spending spree has yielded some positives, with the Premier League record signing of Enzo Fernandez being one of them. However, with players coming out and admitting that the squad has been too big, in addition to reports that players had to sit on the floor and change in the corridors at times this season, it has been far from perfect.
Now, the summer presents the Chelsea hierarchy to start again, with a huge overhaul needed to trip the squad and provide the finance to bring in some new acquisitions. With his recruitment team now in place, it is hoped that Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart will bring some stability after a turbulent year.
However, they will not be able to make any big decisions until the new manger is appointed, with former Spurs and PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino expected to take the reins. he has played with both a back three and back four in his career, so may wish to take a look at the squad before any big decisions are made.
With a huge summer coming up, we take a look at who could leave and which players will be part of the project moving forwards,
Goalkeepers
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Once Chelsea's record signing and still the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, Kepa has earned his place back in the Chelsea starting XI. His superior ability to Mendy with the ball at his feet allows for more tactical flexibility and his nine clean sheets in 25 matches this season is also an impressive record. Back in form and here to stay. KEEP
Edouard Mendy: Having been voted Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper for 2021, Mendy has found himself second choice at Stamford Bridge. However, at 31, he is not going to command a big transfer fee and should he be happy to stay and fight for his place then the Senegalese should be allowed the chance to do just that. KEEP
Verdict:
In this position, with Marcus Bettinelli having recently signed a new contract as third choice, Chelsea have the right mix of quality and competition 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 just as his Chelsea career was building up steam in September was badly timed, but he has impressed when called upon and looks to have been one of the more sensible signings under Boehly. The French centre-back will only improve from here and should he stave off injury will be a crucial player for years to come. KEEP
Benoit Badiashile: One of Boehly's long-term acquisitions, with a seven-and-a-half year deal signed in January, the Frenchman has made eight starts in the Premier League but not yet established himself as first choice. However, as a senior France international at 22, with his left-footedness also a huge asset, he is worth keeping around despite potential for a loan deal. KEEP.
Kalidou Koulibaly: One of Boehly's statement summer signings, the former Napoli defender does not look like the player who dominated Serie A for a number of seasons. The 31-year-old has looked uncomfortable at times this season and with three years left on a £150,000 per week contract it is time to cut their losses. SELL
Trevor Chalobah: While the recent influx of academy players into the first team has been popular, it looks as though Chalobah may have to be a casualty of the squad's evolution. While he has impressed at times, he is a hard player to place in the squad and could have high resale potential to other Premier League clubs, or even Champions League clubs abroad. SELL
Thiago Silva: The Brazilian has continued to defy his advancing years this season and is still one of the first names on the teamsheet despite being 38-years-old. However, he has expressed some concerns publicly about how the club has been run and may need assurances if he is to see out the final year of his contract. KEEP
Marc Cucurella: A divisive player due to his transfer fee, Cucurella has produced a mixed bag of performances this season and some fans could be tempted to sell him. He has not been helped by a £60 million price tag, but is worth keeping around due to the competition he provides at left-back and cover as a left-sided centre-back. KEEP
Ben Chilwell: When he is fit, the England defender is a huge threat on the left-flank and, at 26 has many more years left in the tank. Sometimes he can be a bit suspect defensively, but there is little chance that the Blues would be able to find a better option for the role. KEEP
Reece James: At the start of the season, James looked like one of the best players in the Premier League, before injuries curtailed his campaign. A full pre-season and a new manager could get the England defender back to his best and it's hard to believe that he is still just 23. KEEP
Cesar Azpilicueta: A stalwart of the club and a true leader, while he does not appear to have the same presence of his early years, it would make little sense to push a Champions League winning captain out of the door. His leadership and insight into the squad will be a useful asset to any new manager and he can still do a job at right-back or in a back-three for the final year of his contract. KEEP
Lewis Hall: Four starts in the Premier League at just 18-years-old demonstrate just what kind of faith the club have in the left-sided defender. A versatile option who can also cover midfield, a loan deal to the Championship next season could propel the teenager into a potential starting role in years to come. LOAN
Verdict:
Selling a couple of players and the return to the squad of Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto could begin to show the long-term materialisation of Boehly's transfer strategy. However, there may be the temptation to bring in a big name centre-back to provide some steel for what could be another transitional season.
Midfielders
Enzo Fernandez: Already a World Cup winner, Fernandez has quickly impressed at Chelsea and could become one of the best midfielders in the world for years to come. He is also tied to the club until 2031, meaning that there will be no pressure to sell a potentially world class player. KEEP
Mateo Kovacic: A player whose impressive ability to drive a team forwards has made him a popular figure at Stamford Bridge, the Croatian could be at a pivotal point in his Blues career. The arrival of Fernandez and entering the last year of his contract could mean that the 29-year-old is moved on this summer. SELL
Conor Gallagher: The Chelsea academy product has been relied upon by all three Chelsea managers this season to be a willing runner. His pressing displays show that he could be a captain in the future in the mould of Jordan Henderson at Liverpool and he is worth keeping around despite not being first choice just yet. KEEP
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: After flattering to deceive in his Chelsea career, the imposing midfielder is now 27 and it is probably time to leave the club. Some managers have liked the Englishman, with Maurizio Sarri and Thomas Tuchel picking him in big games, but in his prime he needs to be first choice and the time is now to leave. SELL
Ngolo Kante: A brilliant servant and a world class player, this season has been the first that has shown the human frailty of the World Cup and Champions League winner. Having been limited to just six appearances in the league , contract talks have not reached a conclusion ahead of his current deal expiring, but it could be worth keeping hold of the Frenchman. KEEP
Carney Chukwuemeka: Having signed from Aston Villa, Chukwuemeka has managed just 224 Premier League minutes this season. However, he has shown potential, looking like a decent long-term acquisition and with a summer of transition, he could be kept around to provide depth despite the temptation of a loan deal to a league such as the Bundesliga. KEEP
Mason Mount: After the worst season of his Chelsea career so far, Mount has attracted interest having reportedly turned down a deal to stay at the club beyond the end of his June 2024 contract expiry date. However, with clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal reportedly interested, the 24-year-old undeniably a top player and the Blues could regret not fighting to keep the England star. KEEP
Verdict:
Letting Kante go would have the potential to come back to haunt Chelsea, but with a bloated wage bill it could be time for some fresh blood, including the expected arrival of Christopher Nkunku. Kovacic's potential departure looks like it could bring in a good fee and save some wages, but all depends on how the new manager chooses to play.
Attackers
Kai Havertz: The 23-year-old has become a victim of his versatility, with multiple Chelsea managers being unable to pin down the position of the German. He came to the club as a number 10, but has the athleticism to play as a striker, a problem which Pochettino managed to solve with Dele Alli at Spurs. A tough one. KEEP
Mykhaylo Mudryk: The Ukrainian has not hit the heights expected following his transfer from Shakhtar, but he is going to stick around with his contract expiring in 2031. A full pre-season with his new teammates may be just what is needed for the Ukrainian and a new manager will have seen enough to work with. KEEP
Raheem Sterling: Arriving along with Koulibaly last summer, both players have failed to live up to their reputations. However, with four years left on his contract it is unlikely that any club would be keen to pay the kind of fee which would provide a decent return on Boehly's investment. Has the potential to return to his best at just 28. KEEP
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Having been on loan at Bayer Leverkusen this season with underwhelming results, it may finally be time for the 22-year-old to seek a move away. He has just one year left on his current deal and would be a viable option for most Premier League clubs given his huge potential. SELL
Christian Pulisic: Following the arrival of Mudryk, it was always likely that the American would have to leave Chelsea at some point. he has fallen right down the pecking order since January, but should have no shortage of potential options given his performances for the USA at the World Cup. SELL
Noni Madueke: Having only played 306 Premier League minutes and been omitted from Chelsea's Champions League squad, Madueke was a confusing transfer. However, his performance against Arsenal at the start of May was impressive and his ability to cut inside from the right-wing is a unique asset within the squad. KEEP
Hakim Ziyech: Always looked like somewhat of a spare part at Chelsea under various managers despite his obvious quality. A great player undoubtedly, but it has never quite worked out for the Moroccan and he should leave this summer for what should be a decent fee with two years left on his deal. SELL
Romelu Lukaku: Chelsea have clearly been lacking a centre forward this season, with just 31 goals scored in the Premier League. The Belgian is set to return to the club this summer. After a poor start to the season at Inter, he has looked sharper since February, scoring in the Champions League quarter final against Benfica and looks set to keep his starting spot for the semi-finals. KEEP
Armando Broja: Having looked promising, the striker's injury in December may have had a bigger impact on Chelsea's season than many realised at the time. He will come back this summer and will expect to be competing to become starting striker on the opening day of 2023/24 after a full pre-season. KEEP
David Datro Fofana: Just an hour of Premier League action this season for the Ivorian show how much work needs to be done and that could be achieved at a lower level for the time being. LOAN
Pierre Emerick Aubamayang: Bringing Aubameyang back to London was always a strange move and the Gabonese striker has done nothing to prove the doubters wrong. Still has a year left on his deal but needs to be shown the exit door as soon as possible. SELL
Verdict:
The return of Lukaku and Broja could provide Chelsea's wingers with the chance to play more natural roles next season, with Havertz moving into a free role. They could yet bring in a new striker, with Napoli's Victor Osimhen an appealing, but unlikely option. Chelsea may need to accept where they are, however, and stick largely with what they have.
