Keep, sign or sell? How Chelsea must revamp squad this summer for Champions League return | OneFootball

Two huge transfer windows await, but Blues must again significantly trim group bloated by returning loanees

It is set to be a busy summer for Chelsea, who jet off to the United States for the Club World Cup in a fortnight’s time having only just rounded off their regular season with Conference League success in Wroclaw.

There is, once again, plenty of work to do off the pitch as well, with the club tasked with trimming a first-team squad that will look almost as bloated as it did 12 months ago when a host of players return from loans.

The following squad audit lists 46 players, and that is not including the majority of the academy graduates who have made senior debuts this term.

With the Blues back in the Champions League next season, Enzo Maresca will need a deeper squad in terms of quality.

He will not, however, be able to keep a full lineup of squad players occupied with lesser European competition, as he did in the first half of this campaign. So, who stays and who goes?

Goalkeepers

Robert Sanchez

Has had a few good moments and is a decent shot-stopper, but ultimately a long way short of the standard required. Too many mistakes and not good enough with his feet for Maresca’s football.

Verdict: Sell

Filip Jorgensen

Had a chance to wrestle the No1 jersey but couldn’t take it. Solid in the cups for the most part and at 23 can stick around and develop as a serviceable No2.

Verdict: Keep

Marcus Bettinelli

Didn’t make an appearance this season but no reason to move on a senior No3 unless he is desperate to play. Contract expires next summer anyway.

Verdict: Keep

Lucas Bergstrom

Another who didn’t play this season. Turns 23 at the start of September and is out of contract this summer. Probably time to move on.

Verdict: Release

Upgrade required: Chelsea should move on from Robert Sanchez as their No1 goalkeeper this summer

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Kepa Arrizabalaga

Has had a decent season on loan at Bournemouth. Entering the final year of his contract and will be sold this summer at a huge loss on the £71million world-record fee paid in 2018.

Verdict: Sell

Djordje Petrovic

Loan move to Strasbourg has been a success and deserves to at least be looked at in pre-season before a decision is made on his future.

Verdict: Jury’s out

Defenders

Marc Cucurella

One of Chelsea’s most reliable performers and a real goal threat in the second half of the season. Could do with some back-up at left-back but his position is secure.

Verdict: Keep

Tosin Adarabioyo

Free transfer last summer looks a shrewd bit of business for a player who has been key for his leadership qualities off the pitch.

Verdict: Keep

Benoit Badiashile

Tough night in the Conference League final and feels like one on whom Chelsea should cash in, presuming they sign a new centre-back.

Verdict: Sell

Levi Colwill

Scored the goal that secured Champions League football at the end of a broadly positive season. Not the finished product yet, but a mainstay already.

Verdict: Keep

Trevoh Chalobah

Looked harsh to recall him from a promising loan spell at Crystal Palace in January but played a bigger part than expected.

Would be a valuable squad player, but will presumably want first-team football and selling would be good for PSR purposes. Stock is high after England call-up, too.

Verdict: Reluctant sell

Wesley Fofana

Chelsea’s best centre-back but fitness issues are a major concern. Going nowhere but will come under pressure for his place if he cannot stay healthy, with a new signing expected.

Verdict: Keep

Aaron Anselmino

Recalled early from loan at Boca Juniors in January to get accustomed to life in England but no obvious path to first-team football next term.

Verdict: Loan

Josh Acheampong

Made a big breakthrough this year and is clearly liked by Maresca. Versatility is handy, too. Loan may be considered but easy to see him playing a part.

Verdict: Keep

Reece James

Enjoying his best run of fitness in years and back close to his best form as a result. Juggling Champions League and Premier League football will be a challenge next term, but Chelsea are a better team with him in it.

Verdict: Keep

Back to his best: Reece James is a hugely influential figure for Chelsea with his injury woes in the past

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Malo Gusto

Form tailed off badly through the season, culminating in Conference League nightmare. With James fit and Moises Caicedo a right-back option, could Chelsea be tempted to sell?

Verdict: Keep, unless a good offer comes in

Axel Disasi

Due back from his loan at Aston Villa but the club will look to sanction a permanent sale.

Verdict: Sell

Ben Chilwell

Finished the season an FA Cup winner with Crystal Palace after being exiled at Cobham. Out of contract this summer and will leave.

Verdict: Release

Renato Veiga

Surprise that he joined Juventus on loan in January so soon after signing for Chelsea and versatility might have come in handy in the second half of the season. Juve are reportedly keen to keep him but Chelsea’s stance remains to be seen.

Verdict: Jury’s out

Alfie Gilchrist

A regular for Sheffield United in first half of the season but lost his place after spell out injured. Has one year of his contract left but with the option of another and now could be the time to cash in for a small fee.

Verdict: Sell

Bashir Humphreys

Loan deal at Burnley has already been made permanent. He will be in the Premier League with the Clarets next term.

Verdict: Sold

Midfielders

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea’s player of the season in the eyes of many and there is talk he could be rewarded with an improved contract, even with existing deal running until 2031.

Verdict: Keep

Romeo Lavia

Similar to Fofana: excellent when available, but not available often enough. Still only 21, Chelsea have a star on their hands if they can keep him fit.

Verdict: Keep

Enzo Fernandez

Started the season slowly but brilliant from December onwards. A goal threat and a leader. Maresca says he is staying despite links last week with Real Madrid.

Verdict: Keep

Going nowhere: Chelsea intend to keep Enzo Fernandez amid transfer links to Real Madrid

Bradley Collyer/PA Wire

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Hasn’t had the desired impact after following Maresca from Leicester but did improve as the campaign wore on. Worth keeping into a second season, before a more serious call on his future next summer.

Verdict: Keep, unless fee paid can be recouped

Mathis Amougou

The sole January arrival played only 22 minutes after signing from Saint-Etienne. Needs game time to continue development.

Verdict: Loan

Omari Kellyman

Summer signing was unavailable throughout his debut campaign because of multiple hamstring injuries. Needs to get fit before any call can be made on where he plays next term.

Verdict: Jury’s out

Lesley Ugochukwu

Relegated with Southampton in a loan spell that did not yield much action early on. Hard to see a way through at Chelsea in the short-term.

Verdict: Loan

Carney Chukwuemeka

Some bright cameos during injury-hit spell at Borussia Dortmund in the second half of the season. That loan switch included an option to buy suggests he is not in Maresca’s plans, whether or not Dortmund decide to take it up.

Verdict: Sell

Andrey Santos

Yet to play for Chelsea but enjoyed a superb season on loan at Strasbourg and set to get a chance this summer, possibly as soon as the Club World Cup.

Verdict: Keep

Kendry Paez

Young Ecuadorian will join from Independiente del Valle.

Verdict: Signed

Forwards

Cole Palmer

A bit of a season of two halves but finished it with game-changing contribution in the Conference League final. Chelsea’s best player - any club in the world would have him.

Verdict: Keep

Pedro Neto

Six goals and nine assists is not quite the hoped for return from the summer’s marquee signing, but has been better than those numbers suggest.

Playing 45 games is a big positive for a player who arrived with a questionable fitness record.

Verdict: Keep

Noni Madueke

Developing all the time and reacted positively to some tough love from Maresca. Finished with 11 goals despite two months out and now part of the England picture.

Verdict: Keep

Jadon Sancho

Deadline day loan signing had some good moments, including clincher in Conference League final, but never did enough to make left wing his own.

Another D-Day looms, with Chelsea having a choice between permanent signing or paying £5m to send him back to Manchester United.

Verdict: Let go

Decision time: Chelsea would have to pay a fee to send Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United

AP

Mykhailo Mudryk

Only ever a fringe player before being provisionally suspended for failed drugs test. Denies any wrongdoing but future remains up in the air, with no update yet on results of ‘B’ sample. Cannot be sold in the interim.

Verdict: Stuck

Tyrique George

A breakthrough season that looked unlikely when Chelsea began the year overstocked with wingers. Route to game time next season is tied in with Sancho future and Chelsea moves for a new winger.

Verdict: Loan if Sancho is signed, keep if not

Joao Felix

Loaned to AC Milan in January just six months into a seven-year deal. You sense Chelsea would love to find a buyer, but who will pay up and at what price?

Verdict: Sell if possible - more likely another loan

Raheem Sterling

Stock has never been lower after dismal loan spell at Arsenal. Similar situation to Felix, but with two years left on his deal.

Might Chelsea even have to write-off his contract to get his wages off the books and facilitate a move overseas?

Verdict: Sell, loan or release

Christopher Nkunku

Prolific in the cup competitions early on but played an increasingly small part as the season wore on, having had head turned in January. Doesn’t seem to have a position in Maresca’s system.

Verdict: Sell

Estevao Willian

Hugely exciting Brazilian youngster will join from Palmeiras after the Club World Cup.

Verdict: Signed

Nicolas Jackson

Still too wasteful a finisher to be considered an elite No9 but makes Chelsea - and Palmer in particular - better when he plays. Hope is that a new signing and competition for his shirt next season will bring out more improvement.

Verdict: Keep

Marc Guiu

Cruel timing of injury in early February just as he looked set to play a more significant part.

Verdict: Keep

Armando Broja

Only made 10 league appearances in injury-hit loan spell at Everton. Due back at Cobham but club will look for a buyer again.

Verdict: Sell

Deivid Washington

Re-joined Santos on loan in February and that deal runs until the end of the Brazilian season in December.

Verdict: Out on loan

David Fofana

Loan in Turkey was cut short in January by season-ending knee injury. Is working back to fitness but likely to leave again if coming through preseason unscathed.

Verdict: Sell