Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that he has many "difficult" decisions to make with regards to his Chelsea squad.
Since the end of last season, Chelsea have made huge strides towards reducing their numbers, with as many as 13 players from the 2022-23 squad now no longer at the club either on a permanent or temporary basis.
In response, just two players - Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson - have been signed as replacements, with a further array of prospects returning from loan periods elsewhere.
As a result, Pochettino selected a 29-player squad for the pre-season trip to the United States, with that total becoming 30 upon the late arrival of Reece James.
Players such as Benoit Badiashile and Armando Broja stayed in England, the former continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury and Pochettino deciding not to rush Armando Broja's comeback from a serious knee injury sustained in December.
© Reuters
If reports are to be believed, Chelsea's recruitment are still attempting to sign a number of fresh faces, most notably Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion who may cost in the region of £100m.
Whether decisions are made in the short term or closer towards the end of the transfer window, Pochettino has openly stated that he needs to reduce his options in the senior ranks, a subject that he again addressed after Wednesday night's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.
Speaking to reporters, as quoted by football.london, the Argentine said: "I think we need to define the squad as I think we are 29 players here and it is massive, the squad. At the moment the dynamic is very good, really good guys and they are sharing the time together.
"It is difficult because sometimes in every game three, four, five players cannot play and that is difficult because the mood is difficult. It is about creating a squad with good balance and people who have the opportunity to play and can compete for their place.
"That is a big job and challenge for us in the transfer window to build a good relationship and good balance and then okay, if players are not happy because they believe they are not going to play, we are going to find a solution with the club and fix the situation.
© Reuters
"What we cannot have is a massive squad, players not be involved and then it's going to create a mess in the squad. Maybe less is more and more is less, it is not mathematic. That is why I need to make clear we don't need a big squad.
"We need 22, 23, 24 players with some younger and that's it. I am so sorry because maybe the decision will be tough but we need to build a good and a balanced team who want to compete for things."
One player who has seemingly played himself into Pochettino's plans is Ian Maatsen, with the former Burnley loanee contributing two goals and one assist during his three starts during pre-season.
Pochettino has admitted that he has been left "so happy" with the Netherlands Under-21 international, an indication that the left-sided player could be kept in West London.
The future of Conor Gallagher has also been a hot topic of debate, yet it now appears that Gallagher's preference is to fight for his place under Pochettino after also accumulating minutes against Wrexham, Brighton and Newcastle.
Darren Plant
