Chelsea: Players to sell this summer to finance new additions

Which current players do Chelsea need to sell to help finance a couple of major additions to the team in the summer transfer window?

The club must move quickly to sell players and aggregate funds to help it secure the new players Frank Lampard wants. There’s not much time as the 2020 summer transfer window is already open and next season starts in about six weeks. There are several players who can be sold to assist in this effort, but who are they?

1. Keeper and defense

First, the keeper. Kepa Arrizabalaga has not lived up to the high expectations heaped upon him when the largest ever price for a keeper was paid for his services. It’s not his fault that so much was paid; that was Chelsea’s’ decision. He unfortunately haven’t performed, so it’s best for both Chelsea and Arrizabalaga that he be sold. The fact is that Chelsea will lose money on any transaction involving the keeper, regardless of how brilliant Marina Granovskaia is. Chelsea’s best move is to take the loss, acquire a top keeper to replace Arrizabalaga and move on.

There are also expendable players in the defense that Chelsea can cash in on. Emerson has clearly fallen out of favor with Lampard, so he’s the one most likely to be sold. Inter Milan is interested as he fits Antonio Conte’s style of play better than Lampard’s. Emerson’s offloading would mean money in the acquisition fund.

The other option is Marcos Alonso. He also fits Conte’s system, maybe even better than Emerson, but Alonso is valuable as a squad player for Chelsea. In addition, he has a knack for scoring on set pieces—a unique skill few others on the Blues have—and can play in a back three. He also provides depth at left back. Therefore, the Blues should hold onto Alonso.

The central defense will also need a shake up. Andreas Christensen is one of the defenders who could be on the chopping block. He has not been a staple in the defense under Lampard and he isn’t likely to be in the future either. Christensen is a solid player, but he doesn’t do any one thing particularly well. He performed well on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach in the past, so the Bundesliga could be a landing spot if Chelsea sells the Dane.

Kurt Zouma is also a question mark. At times, he looks like a star and other times, not so much. He has a few talents, he’s terrific in the air and is always good for a last-ditch tackle. Having talents like that is a real plus, especially when it’s traits the Blues need. Yet, his inconsistency is a big headache for Lampard. Therefore, Chelsea should keep his often partner Antonio Rudiger as a squad player and either commit to starting Zouma or sell him. He is starter quality; if not at Chelsea in Lampard’s system, then surely somewhere else.

Zouma will attract interest and a fair sum of money. He’s young, experienced and great in the air defensively. If Lampard doesn’t intend to start Zouma along with a new acquisition, he should just be sold and Chelsea should move on. Also, a loan of Fikayo Tomori is in order and rightfully so. He couldn’t break through at Chelsea last season and a Premier League loan may be helpful to his development. Not big money, but even £1 million helps out.