Chelsea have 13 players training away from Enzo Maresca’s first team in what has been dubbed the Blues’ ‘bomb squad’. The Premier League side could be set for another chaotic few days in the transfer market, with each player likely to want to leave Stamford Bridge. Express Sport looks at Chelsea’s options.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling is the most high-profile player on the list and his situation has descended into a messy episode for all parties. The 29-year-old initially believed he was part of Maresca’s plans, only to learn that he was not in the week prior to the Premier League season and that he could find a new club.
A reported £300,000 weekly wage will provide a major obstacle to offloading Sterling. Chelsea may find themselves paying off at least a partial amount given that the England international still has three years remaining on his contract.
Manchester United have been loosely linked with a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho. There is also interest from Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
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Ben Chilwell
United may also be in the picture in terms of Chilwell’s future. The left-back was told early in pre-season that he did not fit Maresca’s style and has been encouraged to find an exit.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have both had injury problems at Old Trafford, leaving Erik ten Hag exploring other left-back options. A transfer to United would represent a good move for Chilwell.
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku remains at Stamford Bridge despite not being part of Chelsea’s plans under successive managers. A move to Napoli to reunite with Antonio Conte is a possibility for the once-£97.5m signing.
Trevoh Chalobah
A favourite of Mauricio Pochettino’s, Chalobah has trained with Chelsea’s under-21s for most of the summer and has been informed that he can leave. The Blues believe they can raise around £30m in the sale of the defender, who Express Sport understands has interest from Palace.
Armando Broja
Like Chalobah and Conor Gallagher before him, Armando Broja can help Chelsea record ‘pure profit’ through the sale of academy products. The striker endured a tough loan spell with Fulham in the second half of last season and looks set to leave in a permanent deal.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa has returned from a loan spell at Real Madrid and is another player training away from the first team. Chelsea have six senior goalkeepers on their books. The Spaniard is reportedly holding out for a return to Real.
David Datro Fofana
Forward Fofana is one of four players on this list who were only signed last summer, evidence of Chelsea’s chaotic approach to transfer business. He spent last season on loan at Union Berlin and Burnley, and could leave again in a similar deal with Leicester linked.
Deivid Washington
Around £17m was spent on luring teenage forward Washington from Santos. Chelsea rate him highly and it is expected that the Brazilian will leave on loan.
Alex Matos
Matos has a bright future and performed well on loan at Huddersfield in the second half of last season. A signing from Norwich last summer, it is likely that the 20-year-old midfielder will head out on loan again.
Angelo Gabriel
Chelsea are reportedly hoping to sell Brazilian winger Angelo, who arrived from Santos for £13m last summer. An influx of wingers has pushed the 19-year-old down the pecking order but the Blues must find a buyer willing to help them recoup the fee they paid 12 months ago.
Lucas Bergstrom
Giant goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom has five goalkeepers ahead of him and will surely look for a new permanent home after some impressive loan spells in the EFL.
Tino Anjorin
At 22, it is time for attacking midfielder Anjorin to kickstart his career at a new club. He made 12 appearances for Portsmouth last season.
Harvey Vale
There was a brief period when Vale seemed as though he might break into the senior team under Thomas Tuchel. That was before the scattergun approach to transfers took hold, and Vale could now look for a permanent departure after impressing at Bristol Rovers in 2023-24.
