Chelsea reportedly have three guaranteed additions to their first team this summer despite already having a non-ideal squad size.
It is hardly a secret that Chelsea will have to trim their squad this season.
Thiago Silva’s recent comment about how it affects the team’s mood and performance only highlighted the importance of finding a solution immediately.
If Chelsea are to appoint a new permanent manager as expected, making an early appointment to help decide the players that should be made available in the market can only be helpful.
The Blues currently have 31 first-team members, which means at least they need to offload at least six to reach the ideal squad size of 25.
However, if taking into account summer additions, it could be significantly more.
The Telegraph claims that three players; Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill, who are on loan a Lyon and Brighton, respectively, and Christopher Nkunku, who has reportedly signed a pre-contract ahead of a Stamford Bridge move, are “guaranteed” to be part of Chelsea’s first team next season.
Colwill’s future will likely steal the limelight this summer, considering Chelsea already have two left-sided centre-backs; Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile, in the current squad.
Therefore, ‘guaranteed’ is maybe too strong a word because their next manager may have a different view about these players, but it likely means the club will want them to be given opportunities to prove themselves in the pre-season.
Bear in mind that the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Andrey Santos could also be given chances to make a case for their inclusion.
Chelsea co-sporting directors; Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, who are said to be in charge of the squad overhaul, could face the difficult task of finding suitors for a dozen players deemed surplus to requirements in the next month.
UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations will still play a part in the decision-making process, but with Chelsea likely without European football next season, they have at least an additional year to balance their accounts.
Complying with Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules is an immediate issue, but these are usually more lenient than UEFA’s.
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