Chelsea's Summer Clear Out: Who's Left and Who Could Still Leave?

The current Chelsea squad is every Football Manager fan's dream. The Blues have a squad that's stacked with quality, and they have plenty of both experience and youth. But they have plenty of both because their squad is - or was at least - overflowing.

At the culmination of last season, the two-time UEFA Champions League winners had no fewer than 39 senior players on their books, including loanees returning to the club. You'd think then with that many players available that the Stamford Bridge outfit would be able to string a few results together. Think again.

Chelsea had a disastrous campaign last term in which they finished way down in 12th in the Premier League, with less than half the points of those compiled by eventual champions Manchester City. Add to that third-round exits in both domestic cup competitions and a humbling 4-0 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League and it's safe to say that the sooner last season is forgotten, the better. But to make matters worse, the Blues have spent a whopping £600m on players over the course of the last year and they won't even be playing continental football of any kind next term.

Also Read: Chelsea Transfer News: The Blues agree deal for Manchester City youngster that could rise to £45m

Captain America Departs

With such an influx of new players, it will come as no surprise that there is a clear-out well underway at Stamford Bridge. The latest player to leave is United States captain Christian Pulisic, who recently departed for AC Milan for a fee of €20m. The Italian outfit recently signed a money-spinning deal with an online bookmaker which provides their fans access to some of the finest online crypto slots, as well as providing the club with some much-needed funding.

The Rossoneri ownership team has made those funds available to Scudetto-winning manager Stefano Pioli and he has spent them wisely. But which players have already departed Chelsea this summer, and who could be set to follow Captain America himself out of the door? Let's look.

Already Moved On

No fewer than 12 players have already left Stamford Bridge already this summer. Loan signings João Félix and Denis Zakaria have both finished their loan spells and returned to their parent clubs, namely Atletico Madrid and Juventus respectively. Former AS Monaco man Tiemoué Bakayoko was still on the books as of June 30th despite not featuring for the Blues in over two years however, his contract has now expired.

20-year-old Ivory Coast under-21 international David Datro Fofana arrived in January from Norwegian side Molde for €12m however, he will spend next season on loan at Champions League debutants Union Berlin. A further three players have left on free transfers, with N'Golo Kante reuniting with former France teammate Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad, César Azpilicueta returning to his native Spain with Atletico Madrid, and Abdul-Rahman Baba moving on to Greek side PAOK.

Finally, Chelsea have repaid a large portion of the money they spent back in January by raising €240m in player sales. Kai Havertz has joined Arsenal for €70m, while academy product Mason Mount has joined Manchester United for €64m. Mateo Kovačić had just one year remaining on his contract and as such, he has departed for champions Manchester City while Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly - who only arrived last summer - have both followed the Kante to Saudi Arabia.

The final man to leave thus far is Ruben Loftus-Cheek. He will link up with Christian Pulisic at AC Milan.

Also Read: 10 Premier League teenagers who have gained the most value in 2023

Who Else Could Leave?

Following the arrivals of former RB Leipzig sensation Christopher Nkunku and Villareal youngster, Chelsea currently have 29 players on their books. With further arrivals in the form of AS Roma and Argentina star Paulo Dybala expected, further players could leave the club. One of those men looks to be Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian striker has failed to live up to the hype since returning to the Bridge two years ago for €113m. He spent last season on loan at Inter Milan where he helped the Nerazzurri complete a cup double and reach the Champions League final. He is expected to return to the San Siro permanently this summer.

Former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also expected to leave, with a host of both Major League Soccer and Saudi Professional League clubs supposedly interested in acquiring his services. Hakim Ziyech is also being coveted by several Saudi clubs however, he has recently failed a medical at Al Nassr and that could scupper any hopes of securing a move. Academy products Callum Hudson-Odoi and Connor Gallagher have both failed to integrate into the first team setup, and they too could be on their way.

Finally, England under-21 European Championship winner Levi Colwill is expected to leave the club on loan, perhaps to another Premier League team.