Chelsea have had a disappointing season so far, and they are currently languishing in 11th place in the Premier League table.
After a disappointing 2022/23 season, few would have expected Chelsea to struggle once again in the current campaign. The Blues finished 12th last season and spent significant sums of money to improve their squad. They were expected to bounce back strongly and compete for major trophies.
They brought in Mauricio Pochettino to steady the ship and get the players firing once again. However, the manager has struggled to get the job done so far. It is evident that the project at Chelsea is not working out right now, and changes will have to be made at the end of the season.
While there is no doubt they need to bring in quality players, they will need to sell some of the current players as well. Chelsea are unlikely to be able to spend freely in the summer because of the financial regulations, and they might need to raise funds by getting rid of fringe players.
So, with that in mind, here at The Hard Tackle, we look at five players Chelsea should look to sell in the summer transfer window and use the proceeds from the departures to improve their squad.
Romelu Lukaku
Perhaps the most bankable of the lot, the Belgian striker has been an impressive form for AS Roma with 18 goals across all competitions. He has four assists to his name as well. Lukaku will look to leave Chelsea permanently in the summer, and his departure will certainly boost their transfer budget.
The Belgian has shown once again that he can be a world class player in the right system, and there is unlikely to be shortage of clubs hoping to sign him. Chelsea will look to recoup as much as possible for the Belgian, and it remains to be seen whether they can secure his departure in the coming months.
Hakim Ziyech
The 30-year-old Moroccan playmaker is currently on loan at Galatasaray, and he has hardly managed to light up the league. He has a contract with Chelsea until the summer of 2025, and the Blues will be hoping to get rid of him in the summer. He was a key player for Ajax during his time in Netherlands, but the move to England has not worked out for him.
He will hope to sort out his long-term future and concentrate on his football once again. There is no doubt that Ziyech can be a quality player in the right team, and it remains to be seen where he ends up. He has been a proven performer for club and country over the years, and Chelsea will look to sell him for a reasonable price.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
When Chelsea signed the Spanish international goalkeeper from Athletic Club, they paid a world-record fee for a goalkeeper back then. However, the transfer has not worked out. He was quite error-prone during his initial days at the club and then failed to hold down a regular starting spot after the arrival of Edouard Mendy.
He was sent out on loan to Real Madrid last summer, and the player is reportedly not keen on returning. He wants to sort out his long-term future away from Chelsea, and staying in Spain would be ideal for him. Kepa is unlikely to be a regular starter for the Blues, and Chelsea should look to cut their losses on him and recoup as much as possible this summer.
Armando Broja
The striker recently recovered from a long-term injury, and he has been sent out on loan to Fulham so that he can get his fitness levels up and sharpness back with regular football. Broja is highly rated in the Premier League, and he has a big future ahead of him. He could develop into a reliable Premier League striker with ample game time and coaching.
Chelsea will feel that he is a bankable asset, and they should look to sell him in the summer. The Blues need to bring in a quality goalscorer, but Broja is not quite ready to lead the line for a club hoping to win major trophies. Chelsea should sell him and invest the proceeds into a reliable goalscorer.
Malang Sarr
The defender has made just eight Premier League appearances for Chelsea since joining the club in 2020, and he has been frozen out of the side or sent out on loan. It is clear that he is not part of Chelsea’s plans and he has a contract with them until 2025. It would be ideal for the Blues to cash in on him this summer while he still holds some value.
He was heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea during the January transfer window, but a transfer did not materialise. All parties will be hoping to end the defender’s nightmare spell at Stamford Bridge in the summer and work towards a resolution.
