Chelsea’s pre-season campaign is now complete, and with just a week to go until the Premier League season gets underway, the squad still looks bloated and in need of a significant trim.
Xabi Alonso has already admitted that the exit door is firmly open for a number of players, with several reportedly unwanted members of the squad training away from the first team as part of the so-called ‘bomb squad’.
However, the potential departures are not limited to those out of favour. A number of first-team players who featured in pre-season could also be heading for the exit door, with Chelsea facing difficult decisions before the transfer window closes.
We look at the five most likely Chelsea stars leaving before the transfer window, and potentially the start of the
Liam Delap
Liam Delap’s first season at Chelsea did not go as planned, making him one of the more logical candidates to leave before the Premier League campaign gets underway. The striker made 41 appearances in all competitions but managed just two goals and three assists, while his performances fail to convince Chelsea fans he is the right man
With João Pedro, Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha now providing alternative options in attack, Delap appears to have fallen to the bottom of the pecking order following his opportunity to impress during pre-season.
A move to Everton has been mooted, although the deal could prove difficult to finance given the expected transfer fee. Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are also understood to be monitoring the striker. Chelsea are reportedly willing to listen to offers if their valuation is met, and with Premier League interest building, this could be the ideal opportunity for the Blues to cash in while Delap’s value remains strong.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Featured in our four players who could be given a lifeline under Xabi Alonso article, interest in Tosin Adarabioyo has grown significantly since its publication. Benfica and Marseille are reportedly ready to enquire about the defender and are willing to offer him a first-team role, something he would welcome given his uncertain future at Chelsea.
Of the five players selected, Tosin is arguably the most likely to remain at the club. Alonso has stated that he wants to work with five central defenders, while the Nigerian is currently considered fourth choice in the pecking order.
Pedro Neto
This is an exit Chelsea fans probably won’t mind too much, particularly if the rumoured asking price is met. Pedro Neto may be a valuable member of the squad given his ability to fill a number of positions, but if someone comes along with £100million, most Chelsea supporters will quickly get over the heartbreak. Give it a few hours and they’ll probably have forgotten Neto altogether, counting the money, celebrating the profit or dreaming about who the Blues can bring in with the windfall.
Malo Gusto
The French World Cup player could be set for a reunion with his former Manchester City manager, with his Chelsea future increasingly under question following his struggles to establish himself as a consistent first-choice option and the arrival of Marco Palestra. While Gusto offers pace, athleticism and versatility, his performances have often lacked the consistency required at the highest level, particularly defensively.
Chelsea’s depth at wing-back, combined with the emergence of younger options, could make Gusto a valuable player to move on. Reece James would remain the preferred option on the right, with Palestra viewed as capable cover for the injury-prone England international. A sale would also give Chelsea another opportunity to generate significant funds while continuing to streamline an overcrowded squad.
Nicolas Jackson
Nicolas Jackson is a wanted man, and with quality strikers becoming increasingly difficult to find, interest in the Senegal international is likely to be high. Tottenham are reportedly keen, while Aston Villa could also make a move as they prepare for life without Ollie Watkins, who appears set for a move to Saudi Arabia.
Reports that Jackson is training away from the first team further suggest that his Chelsea future is coming to an end, with the striker seemingly set for a departure before the transfer window closes. With multiple clubs potentially in the market for a forward, Chelsea could be well placed to bring some money and profit from him.
We will wait and see who will be leaving come 1 September.
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