The summer transfer window officially opens on Wednesday June 13, as Chelsea look to kick off the Mauricio Pochettino reign with a bang behind the scenes.
Despite weeks of continuous transfer speculation online and in newspapers, the window hasn't actually been open. From Wednesday is when we get into the real business. Saying that, however, Chelsea have been working behind the scenes to try and get somewhat of a head start in the window.
While the club are keen on bringing new players in this summer, with a goalkeeper, the centre of midfield and a striker being the main priorities, there is more focus on those who will be leaving Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks. football.london understands Chelsea are expected to offload 10-plus players over the course of the transfer window in what is set to be a really busy period for the club behind the scenes.
The majority of these look as if they are going to be permanent deals, with the likes of Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga, two Chelsea goalkeepers, on the transfer list. The club will listen to offers for the duo in the coming weeks as they look to bring Andre Onana in from Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, Cesar Azpilicueta will be made available for purchase with the Spaniard having 12 months remaining on his contract. Mateo Kovacic is set to leave the club, with Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek looking like they may follow the Croatian out of the door at Stamford Bridge. Mason Mount's future remains up in the air.
Christian Pulisic wants to leave, as does Hakim Ziyech. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks like he may be joining a handful of high-profile players to play in the Saudi Premier League after an unsuccessful season at Chelsea.
READ MORE: What Cesare Casadei has done to save Mauricio Pochettino millions with Chelsea transfer decision
There are a number of players who could leave Chelsea on a loan deal in the summer for a variety of reasons. For some, it could be to get some invaluable first-team experience elsewhere with their opportunities limited in west London. While for others, it could be because a loan move is more feasible than selling them this summer.
The likes of Ethan Ampadu, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Baba Rahman all see their contracts with Chelsea expire in 2024. So loaning them out until the expiry dates on their deals, does not really make sense for the club in a financial sense. Instead, they are likely to move on permanently this summer so the Blues can get a bit of a fee for them.
So, with all of this being said, football.london takes a look at eight players Chelsea might consider loaning out when the summer transfer window opens. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below this article.
Gabriel Slonina
The 19-year-old goalkeeper joined Chelsea in 2022 from Chicago Fire on a long-term contract. Slonina made his debut for the Development Squad against Wolves in January earlier this year and made a further seven appearances in the Premier League 2.
The American is yet to be involved with the first-team in a competitive match but has often trained at Cobham with his teammates or been involved in the warm-up before matches. It could be highly beneficial for Slonina's development to loan him out elsewhere next season to get some first-team minutes under his belt.
Carney Chukwuemeka
As reported at the weekend, despite interest from AC Milan in inserting a permanent clause in Chukwuemeka's loan contract, football.london understands Chelsea will block that proposal. The Blues, however, will consider loaning the 19-year-old midfielder out for next season as he looks to get more minutes on the pitch.
The teenage sensation made just two starts for Chelsea in the Premier League over the course of the 2022/23 season and with further midfield reinforcements expected it could be a similar situation next term. However, incoming head coach Pochettino will assess the matter when he takes his squad for pre-season training next month.
Cesare Casadei
After a fabulous Under-20 World Cup campaign with Italy, plenty of people are now talking about Casadei. The 20-year-old midfielder picked up the Golden Boot and Golden Ball award as he helped fire the young Italians into the final of the competition before being beaten 1-0 at the hands of Uruguay.
Pochettino has a big decision to make in regard to whether he wants the talented youngster to be in and around the senior squad next season or if it will be more beneficial to both parties if he was to move out on loan. football.london understands Casadei, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship side Reading, is very highly rated at Chelsea and they expect him to have a really bright future.
Armando Broja
As reported at the start of the month, Broja is targeting pre-season for his comeback from the serious knee injury he suffered towards the end of 2022. The Albanian striker required surgery after scans confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and has been sidelined ever since.
However, if all goes well, then Broja will return to the squad for pre-season and hopefully be fit enough for the first games of the new campaign. He could, though, be sent on loan, especially if Chelsea do sign a new central striker, like the club are planning to do.
David Datro Fofana
The last line on Broja brings us onto Fofana. He barely had a sniff in the first-team since making a January move from Molde and his chances in the senior side look set to be limited once again if he stays around at Stamford Bridge.
There was plenty of interest in the Ivorian striker on deadline day in the January transfer window. Chelsea were not so keen on doing business back then, but the club's stance may have changed slightly.
Romelu Lukaku
One man whose future is expected to be away from west London is Lukaku. The Belgian does not want to return to Chelsea with his season-long loan deal at Inter Milan finished.
In an ideal world for Lukaku, he would stay at the San Siro, but Chelsea would not want to lose too much of the £97.5million they spent on him back in 2021. Inter, though, are expected to be reluctant to spend anywhere near that sum to land the former Manchester United striker, so a loan deal is perhaps the one that makes the most sense.
Malang Sarr
A forgotten man? Sarr is due to return to Chelsea this summer after spending the 2022/23 campaign on loan at AS Monaco.
The 24-year-old Frenchman has just two years remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are likely to listen to offers for Sarr if clubs are interested in signing the defender permanently.
Andrey Santos
Santos, a youngster who is very highly rated at Chelsea. The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Vasco da Gama but is set to join up with the Blues senior squad for the upcoming pre-season campaign.
The Brazilian is expected to be given opportunities by Pochettino over the course of pre-season as he looks so stake his claim to the new head coach. A loan move may be more beneficial for Santos in the long run, however, with minutes crucial at such a young age.
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