MASON MOUNT and Raheem Sterling head a 13-strong list of Chelsea players facing an uncertain summer.
Club co-owner Todd Boehly is backing under-pressure manager Graham Potter for a squad overhaul.
4
4
And with many contracts running down, plus other senior stars struggling to impress, it could mean one of the Premier League’s biggest ever clear-outs.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Marc Cucurella and Conor Gallagher are among those battling for their future with just 11 games left this season.
Thiago Silva, 38, has agreed to stay an extra 12 months until 2024 and 31-year-old N’Gole Kante is tipped to agree a new two-year deal.
But that still leaves THIRTEEN 13 stars – and all with TWO problems.
Above all, of course, they must persuade Potter they are worth keeping after he splashed £300MILLION on eight players in January, including £107m on Enzo Fernandez and £89m to beat Arsenal to Mykhailo Mudryk.
But also they have to convince Boehly they are committed for the long term as he reportedly wants new contracts to ideally be for at least three years.
The Stamford Bridge mini-squad under threat
Here are the players whose situation in the summer looks most unclear as they fight to impress manager Graham Potter.
Edouard Mendy
Trevoh Chalobah
Cesar Azpilicueta
Marc Cucurella
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Mason Mount
Denis Zakaria
Conor Gallagher
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Christian Pulisic
Raheem Sterling
Armando Broja
Hakim Ziyech
Here we run through a list of big names, under-achievers, and home-grown fringe men at the centre of some major decisions come June.
Edouard Mendy
The Senegal keeper is said to have turned down a six-year deal after losing his hard-earned No1 spot to Kepa Arrizabalaga.
That means the Blues are almost certain to consider offers for the 31-year-old.
Trevoh Chalobah
The defender, 23, only signed a new six-year contract last November.
But he’s no nearer being a regular starter, so both parties might decide it’s time he moved on.
Cesar Azpilicueta
The injury-hit Chelsea skipper, 33, will find it tough to show he’s worth retaining, especially with a growing number of options available at full-back.
Marc Cucurella
The £60million summer recruit from Brighton has burst back into the side – and form – in recent weeks.
But the left-wing back 24, might not be a long-term answer, especially if Ben Chilwell continues to cement the defensive role behind him.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
AC Milan, Crystal Palace and Lazio have been linked with the England midfielder.
RLC, 27, has again been more out than in the Blues’ team, making a summer departure a decent bet.
4
Mason Mount
The thought of the England playmaker leaving Stamford Bridge would have seemed incredible at the start of the season.
But after six years at Chelsea, it’s believed even the 36-cap ace, 24, is sensing he might be on the move.
Liverpool, Manchester United an even champions City have been mentioned.
Denis Zakaria
The Switzerland anchorman on loan from Juventus will surely not be extending his Stamford Bridge stay.
Zakaria, 26, is way down the list of Potter’s midfield options.
Conor Gallagher
The £40m-rated Academy product must wonder if he would have more than four England caps had he been elsewhere.
The Newcastle and Everton target, 23, can only wait so long for a regular place.
Nonetheless, his outcome is tough to predict as Chelsea have appeared keen to negotiate a new contract.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The ex-Arsenal striker is surely one of the likeliest to depart, mainly because he faces a bit-part role if he stays.
The 33-year-old is reportedly interested in returning to Barcelona, even on reduced wages.
4
Christian Pulisic
The USA winger, 24, was linked with a loan move to Old Trafford last summer.
And more injuries plus fewer starting opportunities since then make him one of the more probable summer movers.
Raheem Sterling
The £47.5m arrival from Manchester City last June has produced spluttering form, not helped by injuries.
But despite suggestions Arsenal are keen, it’s claimed the 28-year-old wants to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.
Armando Broja
An ACL injury ruined what was shaping up to be the 21-year-old’s breakthrough season.
AC Milan are amongst the Albania hero’s biggest admirers.
But Chelsea could still be intent on keeping him as Boehly wants Potter’s squad to contain a core of younger players.
Hakim Ziyech
The Moroccan stylist is said to be on Roma’s radar and it’s also claimed he “offered himself” to Barcelona in January.
The former Ajax star was 30 in March and would have even less chance of being a key starter if he remained with the Blues next season.
