Keep or sell? The 11 Chelsea outcasts whose futures need clarifying before the transfer window closes

The Blues are now confronted with significant choices regarding a multitude of key players after yet another summer characterised by enormous expenditures.

Chelsea is encountering a recurring issue as the transfer window nears its end. A surprisingly hectic summer has resulted in head coach Enzo Maresca having an excessively large squad, despite the season already being underway. Additionally, there are plans to bring in £46 million (€60m) Joao Felix and potentially Victor Osimhen.

The Blues have faced criticism for having a roster of over 40 players. While it is clear that many of these individuals are not considered for the first-team, there is a pressing need to remove any undesired players before the market closes on August 30th.

Conor Gallagher and Romelu Lukaku are expected to finalise their long-delayed signings to Atletico Madrid and Napoli, respectively. However, there are still over twelve players on the periphery of Maresca’s team and squad whose fates remain uncertain.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Do you recall him? Kepa, who was signed for a record-breaking £72m ($94m) from Athletic Club, is currently completely marginalised at Stamford Bridge after six years. Despite being loaned to Real Madrid to provide backup for the injured Thibaut Courtois last season, the player failed to revitalise his career and ended up losing his position in the team to Andriy Lunin.
As the transfer window nears its end, Kepa is currently in a state of uncertainty and isolation at Chelsea. The Blues may not have an abundance of high-quality goalkeepers, but his time as a goalkeeper has come to an end. They will undoubtedly be eager to recover any possible value for the 29-year-old.

Conclusion: Recommend selling

Cesare Casadei

Chelsea made a significant acquisition in 2022 by signing Cesare Casadei from Inter’s academy for a substantial transfer fee of £13m ($17m). This move was widely seen as a major success, as Casadei was seen as a highly promising midfielder with the potential to become a superstar. Nevertheless, his progress at the club has likely been disappointing, as evidenced by his unremarkable loan stints in the Championship with Reading and, more recently, Leicester City.

Given the surplus of midfielders in the Blues team, it seems unlikely that Casadei will have enough playing time to develop the level of performance required to secure a starting position. Another young individual for whom they may need to accept their losses, however it may be prudent to arrange a final loan ahead.Decision: Loan

Trevoh Chalobah

Chelsea’s handling of academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah has been quite disgraceful. Although he was a highly reliable player throughout the latter part of the previous season, he was excluded from the pre-season trip and has been ostracised from the first team as the club attempts to compel him to leave.

Despite the strong desire of the fanbase for him to remain, particularly given the lack of exceptional talent at the centre-back position, it appears unlikely that he will have a future at Stamford Bridge. In all honesty, he deserves a much more favourable situation. However, in an ideal hypothetical scenario, it would be preferable to retain Chalobah and sell off one of their failing central defenders instead.Decision: Retain

Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell, who has been with the club for a long time, is likely to have a disappointing conclusion to his career at Chelsea. The club’s leadership is taking a gamble by supporting the manager’s claim that the defender is not suitable for his tactical approach. In a recent statement, Maresca candidly acknowledged, “Regarding Chilly [Chilwell], it is evident that, despite my admiration for his qualities, he is currently facing difficulties in identifying his optimal position.” I need to make a decision, and it is likely more advantageous to depart and acquire minutes.

The England international’s track record of physical well-being clearly works against him, as might his salary in light of the club’s recently established framework. However, the decision-makers at the Blues should exercise caution when considering the release of the little amount of expertise that still exists inside the team. Nevertheless, Maresca appears to have already reached a decision, and considering Chilwell’s susceptibility to injury, it might be advisable to reallocate his income.Conclusion: Recommend selling

Carney Chukwuemeka

Carney Chukwuemeka, like several other members of the Chelsea club, has faced significant challenges with his physical condition. As the season begins, he currently finds himself on the outskirts of the first team. His pathway is currently obstructed by players such as Enzo Fernandez, Christopher Nkunku, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, leaving him with few opportunities. However, at the age of 20, he is at a critical stage in his growth and requires consistent playing time.

Chukwuemeka was excluded from the team for the initial league loss against Man City, as Maresca stated: “Due to previous injuries, I believe it would be most beneficial for him to participate in a consecutive series of 30 or 35 matches.” Will he participate in 35 games with our team? I am uncertain. At this point, it would be most logical for the midfielder to go on loan to a Premier League side that can provide him with the necessary exposure. Crystal Palace and Barcelona are among the clubs that have been associated with him.Conclusion: Loan

David Datro Fofana

David Datro Fofana, signed during the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital era, has been a disappointing acquisition and is unlikely to fulfil Chelsea’s need for a reliable No.9 striker. The striker had a rather fruitful loan spell at Burnley during the latter part of the previous season, but the team was already destined for relegation before his arrival.

The Blues are actively seeking a new lead singer, specifically Osimhen, and it is quite likely that Nicolas Jackson will serve as a backup if they successfully complete that transaction. In other locations, they possess an abundance of offensive players that are capable of playing in the middle position. While it is still feasible to obtain one last loan, it is advisable to consider ending the borrowing process at this point.Conclusion: Recommend selling

Angelo Gabriel

Chelsea have been accumulating a large number of wide attackers over this summer, resulting in Angelo Gabriel being marginalised despite his recent arrival at the club last summer for a significant £13m cost from Santos.

Despite having a moderately successful loan spell at Strasbourg last season, Felix’s upcoming arrival only exacerbates his position of lower priority. Additionally, in 2025, we have the notable inclusion of exceptionally talented young individuals, Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez. It would be advisable for the 19-year-old to explore other opportunities, as this situation exemplifies Chelsea’s tendency to acquire and dispose of young talent without much consideration.Conclusion: Recommend selling

Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke has significantly improved after joining the club during their extravagant purchasing binge in January 2023. The winger established himself as a crucial player in Chelsea’s impressive end to the previous season. However, the club’s transfer activities have unexpectedly thrown doubt on his future. As a result, he was not included in the starting lineup for the league opener against Manchester City. There have been reports suggesting that Newcastle is interested in acquiring him.

Chelsea’s decision-makers have explicitly stated that they are willing to let go of nearly anyone if it means making a profit. However, it would be unwise for them to part ways with Madueke just as he is beginning to demonstrate his ability and assume responsibility. It is still to be determined if the player shares the same sentiment, as he encounters intense rivalry in the wide regions.Conclusion: Retain

Mykhailo Mudryk

Mykhailo Mudryk will also be impacted by Chelsea’s summer transactions. Although there were a few positive moments, the winger, who was bought for £88.5m ($115m), struggled throughout his first complete season in English football. There is a growing worry that he may never reach the expected level of performance, since he frequently appears lacking in confidence.

Although the Ukrainian player has not been associated with leaving yet, this might change rapidly once Felix’s arrival is officially announced. This is particularly likely considering that the west London team has already made a significant investment in another player who plays in the same position as Neto. The Blues may not be willing to accept a financial loss on Mudryk at this time. Mudryk, who showed signs of having exceptional talent while playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, could benefit from being temporarily loaned to a reputable European club, considering the high level of competition for positions within the team.Decision: Loan

Djordje Petrovic

Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has experienced a peculiar summer, transitioning from being Chelsea’s preferred option under Mauricio Pochettino to being completely unnecessary under Maresca. Robert Sanchez has reclaimed the top spot after being out for a significant portion of the previous season, while Filip Jorgensen has been acquired from Villarreal to provide competition for the Spanish custodian.

Petrovic finds himself excluded and abandoned barely one year after his signing, with no apparent possibility of returning to Stamford Bridge. Once again, his treatment has been dubious, but it appears to be most advantageous for all parties involved to separate, as there is less justification for having three goalkeepers vying for a single position in the team.Conclusion: Recommend selling

Raheem Sterling is a professional football player.

Raheem Sterling, the player whom Chelsea is determined to remove from the club, appears to be ready to defend himself against their underhanded tactics. Excluded from the team lineup for the City defeat, the winger and his representatives issued a confident statement requesting clear information about his role in Maresca’s strategies immediately after the team sheet was made available almost an hour before the start of the match.Sterling, on the other hand, is facing a disadvantage as the leadership is said to be supporting the head coach’s “technical decision” to exclude him, despite his regular usage throughout pre-season. The rumoured £325,000-per-week earnings of the 29-year-old player are a significant obstacle to a potential sale. Additionally, he is reluctant to go due to the influx of new players in his position. Consequently, he now faces the possibility of being excluded from future opportunities after expressing his concerns.This is a challenging scenario. The England international has consistently faced difficulties at Stamford Bridge, never quite reaching the same level of success as he did at Manchester City.Cons idering the circumstances, it may be most beneficial for him to sever his connections. The primary inquiry revolves around Sterling’s next destination.Conclusion: Recommend selling