Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja, and Romelu Lukaku have all been left off the Chelsea squad list on the match day programme ahead of the visit of Manchester City. In what appears a brutal indication that the trio have no future at Stamford Bridge, they've been omitted from a list of 31 names.
After what has been another chaotic summer transfer window for the club, the Blues host the Premier League champions in their season opener today, with kick-off at 4.30pm.
But new manager Enzo Maresca heads into that clash still with the problem of having Gallagher, Broja, and Lukaku on the books despite all being linked with moves away.
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It appeared last week that Gallagher, 24, had sealed a £55million move to Atletico Madrid, only for talks to break down as the clubs failed to negotiate Samu Omorodion heading in the other direction as part of the deal. The England international then duly flew home from Spain and returned to club duty.
On Friday, Maresca confirmed Gallagher was training away from the rest of the squad. But he strongly implied that all parties were continuing to work on his exit.
"You know better than me that he is trying to find a solution with the club and we will see what happens," he said. "Hopefully Conor's situation finishes with the player, the club and all the people happy."
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The absence of Lukaku's name is less of a surprise, with the striker having not featured in a Chelsea shirt since the 2021/22 campaign. Despite remaining on the club's books, his last two campaigns have been spent on loan in Italy with Inter Milan and Roma respectively.
Broja's time also appears to be up at Stamford Bridge following his loan spell to Fulham last season. The 22-year-old, an academy product, seems set to be sold to help the club combat profit and sustainability rules.
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Ben Chilwell however, has been included on the back of the programme. That's despite speculation the left-back will also be allowed to leave the club after an injury plagued 12 months.
There is currently an astonishing 43-man roster of senior players at Stamford Bridge. Maresca has added nine to his squad since being appointed, with the club's desire to sell Gallagher reported to be a major factor in Mauricio Pochettino leaving at the end of last season.
