Nine stars Chelsea should sell as the club fears they will need to raise £100million
CHELSEA’s rivals believe they may have to flog a large number of players by June 30 to comply with FFP rules, according to reports.
The Blues have spent more than £1 billion on transfers since acquiring Todd Boehly in 2022.
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Results failed to materialize on the pitch, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side languishing in the bottom half of the table and labeled ‘blue billion dollar bottle jobs’ by Gary Neville after Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat.
The Prem winning and sustainability rules come into effect this season, with Everton deducted six points from an initial ten yesterday.
To avoid mistakes like the Toffees’, Chelsea may be forced to sell a number of players, including key first-team players.
According to the TelegraphThe Blues’ Premier League rivals believe the west Londoners may need to desperately sell stars before the June 30 deadline to raise £100million.
The date falls halfway between Euro 2024 and the Copa America, which could lead to a chaotic start to the summer at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea insiders are said to be relaxed about the situation and insist that big sales will only be necessary to bring in more talent.
But the Blues’ rivals believe their resolve will certainly be tested.
The west Londoners’ troubles will soon be alleviated by the £28m Newcastle owe them from Lewis Hall, with the Toon having an obligation to take over the youngster’s loan deal.
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Forgotten man Romelu Lukaku agreed to a £37 million release clause when he signed a new contract before joining Roma on loan last summer.
With the Belgian, 30, having already scored 16 goals this season, the Blues are hoping to receive more than £30million for the striker they paid £99.5million to bring back to the club in 2021.
Ian Maatsen was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund in January after making just one Premier League start in the first half of the season.
Chelsea are hoping to receive the 21-year-old’s £35million release clause in full this summer should he leave indefinitely.
With regard to homegrown players, when it comes to FFP calculations, there is no reduction in the value of sales due to the price of their initial contracts.
This could see captain and talisman Reece James leave for a big fee this summer, especially given his injury woes.
Should he become available, Manchester City would likely show interest as they look for a long-term replacement for Kyle Walker.
Alternate skipper Conor Gallagher could be in a similar boat to James.
Gallagher, a Cobham product like James, has attracted interest from Tottenham in the last two transfer windows.
The midfielder is happy at Stamford Bridge but is not close to signing a new contract as his current deal expires in less than 18 months.
Trevoh Chalobah, who has returned to fitness in recent weeks, could represent another homegrown sale and has been the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich.
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Armando Broja made 19 appearances for the Blues this season before joining Fulham on loan in January.
Should he play well for the Cottagers, Broja could receive a significant compensation at the end of the season.
Marc Cucurella has perhaps been Boehly’s biggest flop, having joined from Brighton in the summer of 2022 on a £62million contract.
He never found his form at Stamford Bridge and The Blues can try to limit their losses this summer.
Finally, Chelsea will try to find a permanent successor for goalkeeper flop Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The 29-year-old Spaniard was surprisingly loaned out to Real Madrid last summer.
However, he has struggled at the Bernabeu and with Thibaut Courtois returning from a cruciate ligament injury, Kepa is unlikely to move to Madrid permanently.
The 13-cap goalkeeper, who cost the Blues a whopping £72million in 2018, has one year left on his contract at the end of the season.
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