CHELSEA could be forced into selling an entire XI of star players this summer.
The Blues revealed whopping losses of £121million for last season.
That took their overall deficit to £274m over the past two campaigns.
And with next season’s figures set to include the £545m spent on transfers this term, pressure is mounting for Todd Boehly to balance the books… or Chelsea could be hit with Financial Fair Play sanctions.
One likely option will see the Blues sell off several key players from their massive 36-man Premier League squad.
But who are the likely candidates to be pushed through the Stamford Bridge exit door?
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GK: Edouard Mendy
The Senegal stopper looked like one of the best goalkeepers in the world early on in his Blues spell.
But he went off the boil and refused to sign a new contract as Kepa Arrizabalaga reclaimed the No1 spot – now the Afcon winner could be reunited with Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
RB: Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Okay, he is not a traditional right-back but has filled in there previously.
Loftus-Cheek’s current deal expires in 2024 and is one of a number of academy graduates whose potential sale would make a guaranteed profit.
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CB: Trevoh Chalobah
Like Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah came through the youth ranks and any fee received will help.
He has been linked with a move away already – with Italian giants Roma and Inter Milan said to be interested.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly
Considering he was linked with the Premier League for so long, it has been rather underwhelming from Koulibaly who has not found consistent top form.
The £295,000-a-week defender is under contract until 2026 and is already dropping down the pecking order behind the likes of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
LB: Ben Chilwell
The injury-hit left-back is one of the best in the country on form – as demonstrated by his inclusion in the England squad.
But Graham Potter also has Marc Cucurella at his disposal so Chilwell could be one of the most valuable assets Chelsea are willing to sell, especially with Manchester City keen on the ex-Leicester man.
CM: Conor Gallagher
Home-grown talent and an English midfielder aged 23 is a good combination for getting a decent fee.
Gallagher has proven he can cut it in the Premier League, prompting Everton to bid £45million for the former Crystal Palace loanee, but is far from a guaranteed starter at Chelsea.
CM: Mateo Kovacic
Another man who will enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer is Kovacic.
The experienced Croatian technician is already being eyed by City, especially with Pep Guardiola revamping his midfield.
CM: Mason Mount
Transfermarkt have Mount as Chelsea’s third-most valuable player behind Enzo Fernandez and Reece James.
The England midfielder is 24 years old and has just over a year left on his current deal, which has grabbed the attention of Manchester United and Liverpool who could stump up significant cash after likely missing out on Jude Bellingham.
RW: Callum Hudson-Odoi
Hudson-Odoi was once tipped as the next big thing for Chelsea but it simply has not worked out as planned for various reasons.
He finds himself out on loan with Bayer Leverkusen and the influx of attacking talent this season means he will struggle to get minutes in 2023-24.
ST: Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian striker’s £97m return to Stamford Bridge has failed miserably and he was shipped out on loan back to Inter this term.
Chelsea are unlikely to get anywhere near the fee they paid for him in 2021 – and Lukaku may have to take a serious cut on his £325,000-a-week wages – but getting him off the books will be a massive financial boost.
LW: Christian Pulisic
The American attacker is another man who has never hit the heights expected after a big-money transfer and also is tied down until 2024.
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As USA’s poster boy ahead of the home World Cup in 2026, he knows he needs to be playing regularly.
Hakim Ziyech is another player who could have been included here and will almost certainly leave – but the 30-year-old is six years older than Pulisic and worth about half as much.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
