Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'prepared to axe eight players in summer firesale'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 28 March 2023

Chelsea could reportedly sell as many as eight players in a mass summer clear-out, including Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea are reportedly preparing to do away with as many as eight players this summer as Todd Boehly aims to reduce the Blues' bloated squad.

Since the departure of Roman Abramovich and arrival of American tycoon Boehly, Chelsea have spent a gargantuan £539 on transfers over the past two windows.

The Blues significantly reinforced their squad in January, signing Mykhaylo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana on permanent deals.

Joao Felix also arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea remained in line with Financial Fair Play rules by handing out long-lasting contracts, in some cases tying players down for seven or eight years.

However, Graham Potter's side have flattered to deceive on the field, and the under-fire Blues boss apparently believes that his oversized squad is having a negative impact on his training sessions.

Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly before the match on March 4, 2023 © Reuters

With more cash-splashing expected to take place ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, the Evening Standard claims that Chelsea will first prioritise the sales of several out-of-favour players.

Jorginho was the only name to depart in January - moving across the capital to Arsenal before his contract ran out - but as many as eight players could soon follow him out of the door.

Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to be one of the first names on the chopping block, having endured a nightmare return to the English capital since departing Barcelona.

Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic are both out of contract in 2024, meanwhile, and the consensus is that the former will now depart after contract talks failed to bear fruit.

Liverpool are believed to hold a strong interest in the England international and Kovacic, who is yet to open talks over a renewal with the Blues and is not short of offers either.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring for Chelsea on October 11, 2022 © Reuters

Recently-appointed Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is understood to be keen on a reunion with Kovacic, but they will face competition from both Manchester City and Manchester United.

Fellow midfielders Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will likely be allowed to leave as well, but talks over a new deal for N'Golo Kante are believed to be heading in the right direction.

Elsewhere, attackers Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech - the latter of whom saw a last-minute January move to Paris Saint-Germain collapse - should also be moved on in a few months' time.

Ziyech had travelled to France on deadline day in anticipation of a loan move being completed, but administrative errors scuppered his switch to PSG, who ultimately failed with an appeal.

Finally, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy may seek pastures new after losing his place in the first team to Kepa Arrizabalaga, as Chelsea also eye a new number one for the 2023-24 season.