Thomas Tuchel has just two more weeks to go full throttle in the transfer window before he can breathe a momentary sigh of relief.
The German boss has been extremely hands-on in his work this summer, going side-by-side with Todd Boehly as a makeshift recruitment set-up designed to see Chelsea through a turbulent summer of change. He has been allowed greater freedom in acquiring his own targets and has been a key factor behind the search for Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Gordon.
Chelsea could see another four players, including Cesare Casadei, come through the doors, but there will also likely be a group of high-profile departures in some way or another. Intending to trim his squad of excess wages, underperforming players and those that aren't in Tuchel's plans, Boehly has a period in which he can take advantage of being the new owner, selling players he has no ties with.
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Whereas under Roman Abramovich, Chelsea were set on making a return on their purchases, a strategy with its highs and lows with Marina Granovskaia's tight financial control. Boehly can now move on from previously bought stars without the turnover looking as bad.
That situation could lead to at least four more first-team players exiting Stamford Bridge this summer.
Those with a keen eye will have seen Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley in Boehly's Stamford Bride box during the match against Tottenham, and Fabrizio Romano hinted it could mean transfer business is imminent.
Romano said, "I can confirm the rumours linking Newcastle with interest in Conor Gallagher, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Armando Broja. Newcastle would love to negotiate with Chelsea for those players and also Christian Pulisic, who Eddie Howe likes.
"Chelsea have not yet decided how to manage Gallagher's future. He was outstanding on loan at Crystal Palace last season, and now he wants to stay at Chelsea, but it will be up to Thomas Tuchel. Meanwhile, Hudson-Odoi will go on loan but is not convinced by Southampton's proposal."
The Magpies are now backed by a source of huge financial power and have spent £48m on three players this window, with £100m being moved on to purchase five players in January too. With over £175m spent this year, Eddie Howe's side is now one of the Premier League's biggest forces and has set their lofty ambitions towards some of Chelsea's unwanted stars.
Although Hudson-Odoi is more likely to leave on loan this summer and Conor Gallagher is someone that could have a massive impact on Chelsea's season, especially given N'Golo Kante's current injury and Mateo Kovacic's recent time away from the field with his own consistent knocks, the Englishman now has an opening to the team.
Christian Pulisic is a different target. He could still be allowed to leave if ample replacements were made, football.london understands, but that looks unlikely with Hakim Ziyech and Hudson-Odoi further along in their moves away. Armando Broja is another player that, like Gallagher, could have a big part to play in this campaign if he is patient.
As it stands, there are no concrete offers for any of the four players, and possibly only two of them - at most - are currently truly available, but with plenty still to do and an active pair of hands in Tuchel and Boehly, it would be unwise to rule anything out.
The sooner Tuchel is done with dealing with transfers, the better, though. The manager was clearly fatigued during the pre-season tour of America and would be better served with all focus being on the team.
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