Following owner Todd Boehly’s haphazard first year in charge, which saw more than £600 million spent on transfers, Chelsea have an overstuffed first-team roster.
Since January, there hasn’t been any continuity in team selection or shape, and successive managers Graham Potter and Frank Lampard both confessed that managing so many players was practically impossible.
Additionally, there is the issue of adhering to Financial Fair Play regulations. Something needs to be done to balance the accounts because to the astronomical outlays and lack of revenue from European football.
Since the transfer window started last month, Chelsea has so far officially announced the sale of nine players.
Who has already left?
Chelsea’s large number of departures from Stamford Bridge in the past month have drawn attention, allowing Pochettino to trim his bloated squad in time for their preseason trip of the United States.
N’golo Kante is the most well-known athlete to leave a top club in Europe for Saudi Arabia after accepting a rumored £86 million annual deal.
After spending just one season in blue, defender Kalidou Koulibaly left for Al-Hilal less than a year after arriving from Napoli.
Mason Mount’s contract dilemma was resolved when he signed a five-year contract with Manchester United, leaving his former team.
After losing out to Kepa Arrizabalaga for the starting goalkeeper position, Edouard Mendy’s three years in west London came to an end when he moved to Saudi Arabia and joined Al-Ahli.
While Mateo Kovacic was acquired by Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning Manchester City on a permanent basis to replace club captain Ilkay Gundogan, Kai Havertz signed for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal for an estimated £65 million.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic teamed up with former teammates Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud at AC Milan, while club captain Cesar Azpilicueta left the squad after 11 years of service.
Who will be next?
The last-minute collapse of Hakim Ziyech’s move to Al-Nasr will not deter Chelsea from trying to offload the undesirable winger before the transfer window ends.
Numerous clubs have expressed interest in Conor Gallagher, but the 23-year-old might be crucial for Chelsea next season given the lack of midfield alternatives following this summer’s fire sale.
After his outstanding performances for England during the European Under-21 Championship, Brighton may make another bid for Levi Colwill. The young center back has not yet signed a long-term contract.