Chelsea Must Urgently Sell These Four Players Following Badiashile Transfer Breakthrough

Having spent heavily on several new additions earlier this summer, Chelsea's attention has now shifted toward offloading players.

The next departure appears to be center back Benoît Badiashile. Multiple reports confirm that a loan agreement has been struck to send the French defender to Napoli for $3.4 million (£2.5 million), with the deal also containing an option for the four-time Serie A champions to sign him permanently for $31 million (£23 million).

However, there is still plenty of work to be done, as the absence of European football next season means Chelsea and new head coach Xabi Alonso have little use for an oversized squad.

This leaves the Spaniard and Chelsea's hierarchy with the task of clearing wages and freeing up squad spots before the new campaign begins.

Axel Disasi

Chelsea don't have a "bomb squad" this summer—at least, not one as large as in previous years. Badiashile had been training separately from Alonso's main group, frequently working alongside fellow unwanted French defender Axel Disasi.

Disasi turned heads during his loan spell at West Ham United last season and is believed to have attracted interest from several clubs, with Crystal Palace reportedly keen on a temporary arrangement to cover the departure of new Blues signing Maxence Lacroix.

Decisions still need to be made regarding youngsters such as Aarón Anselmino, Mamadou Sarr, and Josh Acheampong. While some may remain at the club, there is simply no longer room for Disasi in the setup.

Liam Delap or One Other Senior Striker

With Danny Welbeck now on board, Chelsea find themselves with five senior strikers in total—clearly far too many for a side playing just once a week.

João Pedro is firmly established at the top of the pecking order, and Welbeck is not expected to leave. There appears to be room for just one more, but whether that spot belongs to Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, or the yet-to-be-seen Emmanuel Emegha remains uncertain.

Delap looks the most likely to depart, having endured a difficult time at Stamford Bridge. Fabrizio Romano reported on Friday that Como, managed by former Blues midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, have initiated discussions over a potential deal. Jackson has drawn interest from clubs across Europe, though he appears to be the best fit of the three—especially with Emegha still an unknown quantity.

Marc Guiu or One Other Younger Striker

One could even make the case that Chelsea could manage without Jackson, Delap, or Emegha entirely, given the three younger strikers still registered at Stamford Bridge.

Dastan Satpayev, 18, caught the eye during preseason and could benefit from spending a year on the periphery of Alonso's squad. He appears to have moved ahead of Marc Guiu, 20, and David Datro Fofana, 23, in the club's internal rankings.

Whether through loans or permanent transfers, Chelsea must reduce these numbers without delay.

Pedro Neto or One Other Big-Name Winger

It is clear that Chelsea's current squad was not assembled with a season outside of Europe in mind. The club now has six wingers in the fold, and that figure doesn't even account for Cole Palmer's natural tendency to operate on the right.

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Mykhailo Mudryk has returned from a lengthy ban and almost certainly needs a loan move to regain his sharpness, but beyond his situation, it feels as though a difficult call will need to be made elsewhere in the squad.

One starting berth on the wing looks set to go to record signing Morgan Rogers. On the opposite flank, will Alonso opt for Estêvão, Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, or Geovany Quenda?

Among that group, Neto commands the highest market value, and Manchester City are known to be admirers. Quenda could potentially head out on loan, but there will be no such exit for fellow youngster Estêvão, who is already considered central to the club's long-term vision.