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Chelsea Open to Clearing Out Fringe Players
Chelsea are reportedly willing to offload up to six players during the January transfer window as they look to balance their squad and potentially fund a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
While it has been expected that players like Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could leave, the inclusion of Axel Disasi and Christopher Nkunku on the list comes as a shock.
Guehi in Chelsea’s Sights
The Blues’ interest in Guehi has gained momentum following injuries to Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana. A product of Chelsea’s academy, Guehi was sold to Palace for £18m in 2021 and now commands a valuation of around £70m. Chelsea also hold a sell-on clause that could work in their favor should they negotiate his return.
Additionally, a surprise Trevoh Chalobah U-turn has been suggested, with Chelsea reportedly considering recalling the defender from his loan at Crystal Palace.
Squad Streamlining
Chelsea’s squad has been bloated for some time, leaving head coach Enzo Maresca struggling to rotate his players effectively. The Telegraph reports that the club is keen to avoid panic buys but wants to be prepared to act on the right opportunities.
Among the expected departures:
- Ben Chilwell
- Carney Chukwuemeka
- Cesare Casadei
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Chukwuemeka and Casadei alone could fetch around £60m, while Dewsbury-Hall, who joined for £30m just six months ago, is also deemed expendable.
Surprise Names: Disasi & Nkunku
- Axel Disasi: The £38.5m signing from Monaco has captained Chelsea in rotated squads for the Conference League and Carabao Cup but hasn’t made an impact in the Premier League. His style is reportedly a poor fit for Maresca’s tactical approach.
- Christopher Nkunku: Signed for £52m after excelling at RB Leipzig, Nkunku’s debut season has been disrupted by injuries. Despite seeing more game time than others on this list, his appearances in the Premier League have mostly been as a substitute.
The inclusion of these two names in Chelsea’s potential clear-out highlights the club’s willingness to make bold decisions in reshaping the squad for long-term success.
