Your morning Chelsea digest on Sunday, April 23.
Man United fixture change
Chelsea's clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford has been confirmed for Thursday, May 25th at 8pm. The fixture is one of a number to be moved due to the teams involved in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend.
The Blues were to make the trip north following their defeat to Real Madrid but the Red Devils instead take on Brighton at Wembley on Sunday. The Blues will now end the season with a particularly tough run of matches that include Manchester United and Manchester City away before facing Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola has already spoken to Mateo Kovacic as Man City launch £22m Chelsea transfer
The match will still be broadcast on Sky Sports as initially planned. Brighton and Manchester City's game has also been rescheduled for their penultimate matches of the season as they face off at the Amex Stadium on May 24th.
To read more, click here.
Poch leading four-man shortlist
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly leading a four-man shortlist to become the next Chelsea manager. Reports yesterday suggested Julian Nagelsmann withdrew from the running after growing “frustrated” with the process - potentially leaving the coast clear for Tottenham Hotspur to land their man.
However, fresh claims in the Daily Telegraph indicate the Blues have tapered their hit list down to four names - with the German still in the mix. It has been three weeks since Graham Potter’s departure, with the Blues seemingly not close to finding his replacement.
Any hope of interim boss Frank Lampard staking his claim has diminished due to four straight defeats and a limp Champions League exit. The front-runner is understood to be former Spurs boss Pochettino, out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last year.
The report also names Vincent Kompany as a potential target following his success at Burnley. While unproven in the Premier League as a manager, the ex-Manchester City defender has rebranded the Clarets into a possession-based side in his debut campaign and secured an instant top-flight return.
A surprise, unnamed candidate is also believed to be on Todd Boehly’s shortlist. Luis Enrique’s name was touted earlier in the race but he is no longer under consideration. The mystery contender is described as someone “liked and respected” by the Chelsea hierarchy.
To read more, click here.
Potential £60m windfall
Chelsea could recoup almost £60million in player wages alone should Todd Boehly’s summer exodus go ahead. It is no secret that the Blues will be aiming to trim the fat off their overpopulated squad once the transfer market opens.
Around £600million has been spent since the American fronted a consortium to buy the club from Roman Abramovich last year. So far, they are yet to see a return on their investment - with Chelsea likely to drop out of European competition next season.
The Blues are on course for their worst Premier League season since 1995-96, when Glenn Hoddle’s side finished 11th. However, Boehly has one trump card up his sleeve to help rejig Chelsea’s finances this summer.
A jam-packed squad full of international players will need to be cut down, with suitors reportedly lining up to snatch the Blues’ scraps. As it stands, the wage bill is a mouthwatering £220million per year.
Over a quarter of that figure could be reduced to free up capacity for more big-money arrivals. Our list features 10 players who are likely to head for the Stamford Bridge exit - totalling a staggering £58milion per year.
To view the full list, click here.
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