The Blues spent a whopping £600 million for this season. But as it’s time to make some sales, who will be on Pochettino’s chopping block?
Following his appointment as the new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino is wasting no time in initiating a squad clear-out at Chelsea.
The 51-year-old Argentine can’t officially start work until July 1, but he is advising the club on player sales, alongside co-sporting Blues directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
With Financial Fair Play rules in mind, Chelsea hope to sell players before June 30. This would ensure their financial accounts for the 2022/23 season remain in line. After a hefty expenditure of over £600 million, the Blues are keen to balance the books by potentially offloading up to 12 players.
According to the Evening Standard, 10 names are up for consideration. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be one of the first players out. Chelsea have allowed him to search for a new club. Several Saudi Arabian teams are interested in the 33-year-old striker, who scored three goals in 21 games this season. He is open to rejoining Barcelona. Moves to AC Milan and Atletico Madrid may also be on the table.
The report adds that Chelsea may also consider sales for the following nine players this summer:
- Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper)
- Christian Pulisic (Winger)
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Midfielder)
- Hakim Ziyech (Winger)
- Mateo Kovacic (Midfielder)
- Marc Cucurella (Left-back)
- Kai Havertz (Forward)
- Mason Mount (Midfielder)
- Cesar Azpilicueta (Defender)
Felix is definitely on his way out
One player who won’t be around for Pochettino’s first game is Joao Felix.
Felix joined Chelsea on loan from Atletico Madrid in January. The 23-year-old forward played 20 games across all competitions, scoring four goals. He had expressed an interest in turning his stay into a permanent one, but Pochettino has turned him down.
“Yesterday we had the news that the new Chelsea manager [Pochettino] does not [want] Joao Felix,” Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told AS.
“We’ve known for less than 24 hours. He’ll come back here and we’ll see. We don’t have anything planned.”
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