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The prospect of a major summer clear-out at Chelsea became increasingly likely when the club announced another huge loss of £121.3million for the year ending June 2022 on Monday.
Chelsea cited ‘extraordinary expenses and loss of revenue’ due to the impact of sanctions place on former owner Roman Abramovich.
The Blues have insisted they remain compliant with Premier League and UEFA financial regulations, despite their total losses over the last three years standing at £242m. Under Premier League rules clubs must avoid having losses over £105m over a three year period but leeway was granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the £500m transfer spree during Todd Boehly’s first year in charge of the club due to be accounted for in next year’s financial results, as many as 10 members of the current squad could be sold at the club looks to balance the books.
Sportsmail takes a look at the Chelsea players who are reportedly at risk from the firesale and whether they should stay or go this summer.
Mason Mount – (£60-70m estimated fee)
The prospect of Chelsea selling Mason Mount seemed an unlikely one when he was named the club’s player of the season for the second consecutive season last year.
The ground has shifted significantly at Stamford Bridge since, with the 24-year-old yet extend his contract which expires in the summer of 2024.
Manager Graham Potter has admitted Mount’s contract negotiations are ‘complicated’ despite the insistence he wants to keep the academy product at the club.
Although the Blues would be loathe to lose Mount to a Premier League rival, it could be a sensible move in the circumstances to cash in on the reported interest from Liverpool, Man City, Man United and Newcastle.
VERDICT: SELL
Mason Mount is yet to sign a new Chelsea deal and has interest from Premier League rivals
Edouard Mendy – (£15-20m estimated fee)
The Senegalese goalkeeper is another key figure from the Champions League triumph under Thomas Tuchel to face an uncertain future at the club.
Mendy’s role in the triumph and Senegal’s victory at the African Cup of Nations contributed to him being awarded The Best FIFA men’s goalkeeper back in 2021.
The 31-year-old has found himself in the cold two years on, with a loss of form leading to Mendy losing his place to Kepa Arrizabalaga. Like Mount, Mendy is yet to reach an agreement over a new contract, with his deal expiring in 2025.
With the Blues likely to target a goalkeeper in the summer, Chelsea will surely listen to offers for Mendy.
VERDICT: SELL
Edouard Mendy has lost his starting place at Chelsea and could seek a fresh start
Christian Pulisic – (£30m estimated fee)
The United States international has had a stop start career since joining from Borussia Dortmund back in 2019.
Pulisic has shown bursts of the ability which convinced Chelsea to bring him to Stamford Bridge, but suffered from injuries and inconsistency. His latest injury setback came at the worst possible moment in January, having made three consecutive starts.
Pulisic’s absence coincided with the arrivals of Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix and Noni Madueke at the club, adding further competition for places.
The 24-year-old has suggested he operates best attacking from the left, where Mudryk typically plays. Chelsea have bet on the Ukrainian’s potential after spending £88m and giving him an eight-and-a-half-year deal.
The need for the gamble to work could mean Pulisic moves on in the summer, with his deal expiring in 2025.
VERDICT: SELL
Ben Chilwell – (£70m estimated fee)
The England international has forced his way back into the Chelsea starting eleven since returning from the hamstring injury which forced him out of the World Cup in Qatar.
Marc Cucurella unconvincing first season at the club has surely only strengthened the need for Chelsea to keep Chilwell.
Manchester City are reportedly keen on signing the 26-year-old in the summer, but it would seem a strange decision should Chelsea allow the left back to move to the reigning Premier League champions
VERDICT: KEEP
Chelsea should resist interest from Manchester City and keep Ben Chilwell at the club
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Hakim Ziyech – (£20-25m estimated fee)
The Moroccan international saw a loan move to PSG collapse on the final day of the January transfer window, angering both the French champions and the player.
Chelsea were believed to have favoured the 30-year-old completing a permanent transfer, which surely will be the case in the summer.
VERDICT: SELL
Conor Gallagher – (£45m estimated fee)
Graham Potter admitted earlier this month that Gallagher is ‘rightly frustrated’ with his lack of minutes as he struggles to earn a regular place in his side.
Gallagher has seen his game-time limited since the January influx of players and while the Blues reportedly had no intention of him leaving during the transfer window, his future may be revisited in the summer.
The midfielder had reportedly attract interest from Newcastle and Everton, as well as possible return to Crystal Palace after his successful loan last season. A move may make sense for Gallagher if he is to remain in Gareth Southgate’s England set-up.
VERDICT: SELL
Conor Gallagher may boost his England hopes with a move away from Chelsea this summer
Mateo Kovacic – (£35m estimated fee)
The Croatian international reportedly has a long-term admirer in Pep Guardiola, with suggestions Manchester City could test Chelsea’s desire to keep the midfielder.
Kovacic is due to turn 29 in May and will have just over a year remaining on his Chelsea contract.
While the future of the midfield looks set to be built around Enzo Fernandez, the Blues would likely try to tie down Kovacic unless the midfielder actively desires a move away.
VERDICT: KEEP
Chelsea should look to tie Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic down to a new contract
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – (£20m estimated fee)
Loftus-Cheek has proved a useful squad option for Chelsea with the 27-year-old set to reach 150 appearances for the club since coming through the academy.
The midfielder would remain a dependable player for the Blues, but he could move on should there be sufficient interest and the club can secure a reasonable fee.
VERDICT: SELL
Callum Hudson-Odoi – (£15m estimated fee)
The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, but has featured in four of their of their last 10 Bundesliga matches.
Leverkusen are not expected to try to make the Hudson-Odoi’s move permanent, while he looks unlikely to revitalise his Chelsea career when he returns to Stamford Bridge.
The winger, who has won three caps for England, will reportedly be available for a cut-price fee in the summer with his contract expiring in 2024.
VERDICT: SELL
Trevoh Chalobah – (£20m estimated fee)
You have wonder what was going through Trevoh Chalobah’s mind when Chelsea embarked on their January transfer spree, just two months after the central defender signed a six-year contract extension.
Having forced his way into the starting eleven prior to the World Cup, Chalobah has since been pushed to the sidelines in recent weeks. The prospect of following fellow Chelsea academy graduate Fikayo Tomori to Serie A has been mentioned.
However, it would be quite the turnaround after Todd Boehly hailed an ‘exceptional young player’ when Chalobah put pen to paper on his new deal in November.
VERDICT: KEEP
Trevoh Chalobah signed a six-year deal back in November and should remain at Chelsea
