A very busy summer lies in wait at Stamford Bridge and Cobham, with Thomas Tuchel's mind on a club rebuild and not simply improving his squad. Antonio Rudiger has departed for Real Madrid, and Andreas Christensen is soon to depart with his contract also to expire, while decisions must be made over a series of players whose deals come to an end in 2023.
Tuchel said ahead of the summer: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge. I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see.
"On how the delay and sanctions will affect us, there is a risk. It will be very challenging to make up for the disadvantage, given the situation of the other two teams: City and Liverpool, who are already improving the squad and set one benchmark after the other in all aspects of the game."
READ MORE: Confirmed departure and a Thomas Tuchel meeting - the transfer status of Chelsea's loan army
The Blues are also set to welcome back the vast swathes of their loan army for Tuchel to assess and difficult decisions will have to be made over their futures, and whether Chelsea already hold better options than what Marina Granovskaia may be able to prise from other clubs in the transfer market.
Reports suggest the Russian director is set to depart in August, but with meetings already underway with new owner Todd Boehly, one of Chelsea's priorities will be to get their squad ready. However, with players set to leave Chelsea's books, Tuchel's ability to fulfil homegrown quotes for the Premier League and Champions League will be impacted, though the impressive development line at Cobham will certainly go some way to helping.
football.london take a look at the rules in place and what might need to come under consideration when the Blues are operating this summer.
Premier League
Once the Premier League transfer window closes on September 1, as always Chelsea will need to submit a 25-man playing squad for their 2022/23 campaign. This group must be comprised of no more than 17 overseas players with the remaining eight places allocated to homegrown players only. A homegrown player is a player, irrespective of nationality or age, have been registered with any club affiliated to the FA or Welsh FA for a period of three entire seasons or 36 months before the end of the season in which they turn 21.
The Blues are also able to name a list of under-21 players for the season, which means not every player is required to be named within the main 25-man squad providing they are young enough. Under-21 players for the 2022/23 season will have been born on or after January 1st 2001. While Chelsea filled out their squad for the course of last season, Callum Hudson-Odoi was able to be utilised in addition to those 25 players. Furthermore, Tuchel was able to call upon nine homegrown players, providing a degree of flexibility.
The Blues are expected to have a busy summer ahead with the likes of Antonio Rudiger having departed and Andreas Christensen's contract set to expire. While the former leaves a spot open for any candidate, Denmark international Christensen was deemed a homegrown prospect after coming through at Cobham having arrived at Chelsea from Brondby in 2012 aged just 15. Saul Niguez's return to Atletico Madrid will leave another spot in the Chelsea squad ready to be filled.
Returning loan players may find things more competitive at Cobham with Ethan Ampadu and Conor Gallagher unable to be named as under-21 players for the first time, which may provide Billy Gilmour with an advantage in making the Blues' midfield. Likewise, that Ian Maatsen can be registered as an under-21 play could provide him with an advantage over Dujon Sterling in their bid to operate as a back-up wing-back.
However, more room could open up if the likes of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta depart, and if Ross Barkley earns a move away from Stamford Bridge, the Blues will be left with a homegrown position to fill if they hope to use the full extent of what they are allowed. Likewise, if Romelu Lukaku is to depart, his early career sees him qualify as a homegrown player and would leave another spot to be filled.
Premier League non-homegrown players 21/22
Marcos Alonso, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Kai Havertz, Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy, Saul Niguez, Kenedy, Christian Pulisic, Antonio Rudiger, Malang Sarr, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech.
Premier League homegrown players 21/22
Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku, Andreas Christensen, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Reece James, Mason Mount, Trevoh Chalobah, Marcus Bettinelli, Ben Chilwell.
Players used from U21 list 21/22
Callum Hudson-Odoi. Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour played for Crystal Palace and Norwich respectively.
Champions League
The rules for Chelsea's Champions League campaign and who is deemed to be a homegrown player slightly differ to the Premier League however. This can often cause issues, but the Blues benefit from their recent Cobham successes. UEFA define homegrown or locally trained players as those who have been trained by their club or another from the same national association (the Welsh FA would not be included as it is for the Premier League) for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21.
Four of these eight spots are allocated for players from the club itself however. Christensen's departure will still leave Chelsea four club-trained players to call upon, with the likes of Gallagher providing an opportunity to expand upon the numbers required once again.
UEFA competitions also allow clubs to submit a B list for those born on or after the 1st January 2001 and registered at the club for an uninterrupted period of two seasons.
Champions League homegrown players 21/22
Club trained - Andreas Christensen, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trevoh Chalobah, Mason Mount, Reece James.
FA trained - Romelu Lukaku, Ben Chilwell, Ross Barkley, Marcus Bettinelli.
Champions League non-homegrown players 21/22
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Jorginho, Thiago Silva, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Edouard Mendy, Saul Niguez, Hakim Ziyech, Kenedy, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kai Havertz, Malang Sarr.
B list 21/22
Harvey Vale, Lucas Bergstrom, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
