Chelsea Football Club is a mess, in spite of Enzo Maresca's justifiably ruthless methods to resolve a myriad of existing issues. The squad is so bloated and ridiculously unbalanced that it is currently split in two. 13 players are currently training separately from the main and favoured team. Their reported collective transfer fees approximately clocked up CFC a whopping £300 million.
The disregarded group's name, invented by football media: the Bomb Squad. Who are they, what is the ostensible resale value and how much is their combined wage bill? And, most importantly, which clubs will they potentially move to?
Bomb Squad FC
First of all, England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are the two most prominent and, widely, unexpected members of this undesirable set of Blues. Although, I remember writing that Marc Cucurella will probably supplant Chilwell at Stamford Bridge eventually. Believe it or not. If you aren't aware, I came to this conclusion as a Leicester City reporter.
The pair's respective weekly wages go a long way towards the overall £1.25m weekly Bomb Squad bill. Together, they amount to £525,000-per-week. An unwise and regrettable amount to offer two high-level but not world-class squad members, if you ask me.
Finnish goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom gets a relatively modest £3,000 per week. Midfielder Alex Matos is on £5,500. Brazilian teenager Angelo Gabriel rakes in £25,000 every seven days. And he's a mere prospect. The west Londoners are haemorrhaging cash.
Harvey Vale and Tino Anjorin, another couple of other young midfielders, get £26,000 and £27,000 respectively. Striker David Datro Fofana's £30,000 actually pleasantly surprised me. Deivid Washington may receive £160,000-a-month at Chels' for the next six years.
It's not his fault, although Armando Broja collects £40,000 for doing very little goalscoring at present. Defender Trevoh Chalobah gets £50,000 for being an unwanted Blue every week. Again, his plight is unfortunate. Kepa Arrizabalaga's eye-watering £150,000 must be erased from CFC's books as soon as possible!
Let's not discuss Romelu Lukaku's £325,000-per-week, because I would only have negative things to say on this unbelievable matter. Anyway, the often hapless yet rather fortunate Belgian rounds the number of outcasts up to 13. Unlucky for some!
What's next for some Blues?
Sterling supposedly wishes to remain in the English top-flight; Crystal Palace are a potential suitor. Manchester United appear to be the only outfit connected with eyeing Chilwell.
Newcastle United, Palace and Aston Villa want Chalobah. Kepa would relish returning to Real Madrid. Broja heads on loan to Ipswich Town. Meanwhile the Blues should offload Lukaku wherever they can.