Chelsea spent much of last summer’s transfer window desperately trying to trim a squad which had become bloated beyond compare.
Manager Enzo Maresca even created a ‘bomb squad’, separating the undesirables from the main group of players.
Despite an element of success, selling valuable assets such as Conor Gallagher and Romelu Lukaku, much of the problem was simply swept under the carpet.
England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell, for example, are still on Chelsea’s books despite having no future at the club.
A number of loanees are set to return this summer, once again presenting the Blues with another chaotic period of shifting dead weight to stay in line with financial regulations.
And despite spending well over £1billion since the new ownership arrived in May 2023, there are still significant holes in the Chelsea squad which Maresca will hope to fix before next season.
talkSPORT understands a new striker is high on their list of priorities, having relied too heavily on Nicolas Jackson amid an injury-stricken season.
The Blues have shown interest in Ipswich’s Liam Delap, Sporting’s Conrad Harder, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, Nottingham Forest full-back Nico Williams and Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens are among other high-profile names on Chelsea’s radar.
Below, talkSPORT.com takes a look at the big-money players who need to go before Maresca can fill those gaps, especially if the Blues fail to get Champions League football and all the financial benefits that come with it.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chelsea have nine senior goalkeepers on the books – five in their current squad and four out on loan.
And yet, most fans would tell you that signing a world-class goalkeeper should be top of the club’s agenda.
The Blues thought they did that in 2018, when they made Kepa the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in a £71.6million deal.
But after an ill-fated seven years at the club, Chelsea will be desperate to recuperate some of that cash this summer, having already told the 30-year-old he has no future at Stamford Bridge.
That is despite a resurgent loan spell at Premier League rivals Bournemouth – which has seen Kepa’s stock rise dramatically.
talkSPORT understands the Cherries are weighing up a permanent bid for the Spaniard, who is also attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen.
Christopher Nkunku
The France international arrived with seriously high expectations after a £52m move in 2023.
Fans were willing to be patient with Nkunku after a serious pre-season injury ruined his debut campaign at the club.
But despite ample opportunity this term, the 27-year-old forward has been underwhelming.
With 14 goals in all competitions, only three of those have come in the Premier League, even though Nkunku deputised for the injured Jackson for weeks.
talkSPORT understands the forward verbally agreed a move to Bayern Munich in January before the deal fell through.
He will be close to the top of Chelsea’s transfer list this summer – with a valuation around £60m.
Carney Chukwuemeka
The arrival of Maresca appeared to spell the end for Chukwuemeka at Chelsea before it had even begun.
After arriving in a £20m deal from Aston Villa in 2022, the England youth international impressed in short bursts while managing persistent injury problems.
But despite returning to fitness, the versatile midfielder’s playing opportunities were limited under Maresca and he joined Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.
Having spent yet more time in the treatment room in Germany, Chukwuemeka has since emerged as an important player for Dortmund in their push for a Champions League spot.
Chelsea are thought to be hopeful the 21-year-old can be used as a makeweight in their bid to sign BVB star Gittens this summer.
Raheem Sterling
To say this season has not gone according to plan for Sterling would be an understatement.
The England international featured heavily in pre-season under Maresca and performed well, but was suddenly omitted from the Italian’s first Premier League squad.
Arsenal came calling with a loan offer, but Sterling has been used sparingly by the Gunners this season, despite a long-term injury to Bukayo Saka.
It is understood Arsenal will not entertain keeping the 30-year-old – who has previously snubbed offers from Saudi Arabia in order to stay in the Premier League.
Ben Chilwell
Chilwell is another big-money asset still on Chelsea’s books with no future at the club.
The 28-year-old remains a popular figure among Blues fans after starring in the club’s triumphant Champions League campaign in 2021.
But due to a combination of injuries and ill-favour, Chilwell has only managed 49 top-flight appearances in four seasons combined.
His January loan move to Crystal Palace briefly showed signs of promise, before the form of Tyrick Mitchell limited Chilwell to a bit-part role.
He looks set to be on the hunt for a new home once again this summer – despite Chelsea lacking options at full-back.
Axel Disasi
Disasi was the unofficial captain of Chelsea’s B team early in the season, wearing the armband for the squad of fringe players getting an occasional run-out in the Europa Conference League.
Remarkably, he would end the season playing in a Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Aston Villa took a chance on the French centre-back in the January transfer window but it is understood they are not planning on making the deal permanent.
So having signed for the Blues in a £38.5m deal less than two years ago, Disasi rounds off a long list of expensive players returning to Cobham in a few weeks with no future at the club.
And while some have seen their stock rise, others will prove difficult to offload.
