Chelsea's Summer Clearout: Nine Stars Who Must Go Before Transfer Window Closes

The transfer specialists at Clearlake face significant business in the player market before the summer window closes, as Chelsea seeks to remove numerous players from their roster.

The Blues have been actively strengthening Enzo Maresca's team on both sides of their Club World Cup victory in America. The positive conclusion to the previous campaign, along with their overseas success, suggests a strategy that's beginning to show results.

While Chelsea have made multiple signings, they continue seeking reinforcements, but only after clearing unwanted and overlooked players can targets like Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho arrive in London.

Below are all the players the Blues must still move on, even following confirmed departures for Kieran Dewsbury Hall, Lesley Ugochukwu and Marc Guiu.

Carney Chukwuemeka

This promising attacking midfielder remains popular with many Chelsea fans, yet Maresca apparently never warmed to Chukwuemeka.

He didn't feature for the club during the opening half of 2024–25 and was subsequently sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund for the season's remainder in January. Chelsea now hopes to transfer Chukwuemeka to the German side for a relatively reasonable price, considering his ability and impressive showing during his ten Bundesliga appearances.

The Blues seek to recover the £20 million ($26.5 million) invested when acquiring him from Aston Villa in 2022.

Christopher Nkunku

Nkunku's Chelsea journey was troubled from the beginning, with a serious knee problem during his initial preseason hampering his first campaign.

The French player might have flourished under Mauricio Pochettino, but the setback meant missing Pochettino's opening half-season. Upon his return, Cole Palmer had already become Chelsea's key figure.

Clearly talented yet challenging to accommodate, Nkunku was deployed in various positions with mixed results under Maresca. His best performances arguably came recently at the Club World Cup, though Chelsea remains eager to sell the former RB Leipzig talent.

The Blues should anticipate taking a financial hit.

Nicolas Jackson

Similar to Nkunku, Chelsea are willing to part with Jackson following his second season.

The Senegalese striker possesses appealing qualities, serving as an excellent outlet and disruptive attacking presence. Nevertheless, Jackson lacks consistency in finishing and has fallen short in front of goal across two Premier League campaigns—particularly during his inaugural season.

Doubting Jackson's improvement potential, the Blues have recruited two new forwards this summer in Liam Delap and João Pedro. The latter, acquired from Brighton & Hove Albion, has made an impressive Chelsea debut, helping Maresca's team capture the Club World Cup with three goals in two starts.

Pedro appears destined to become the Blues' primary striker, leaving Jackson currently as Maresca's third option. Perhaps whoever misses out on Benjamin Šeško will turn attention to the Senegalese international.

Raheem Sterling

A declining Sterling failed to display a version of himself that would attract buyers during his Arsenal loan stint last season.

The former elite winger commands Chelsea's highest wages according to Capology, and the Blues face considerable difficulty finding a purchaser for the 30-year-old this summer.

Sterling will likely need to accept a substantial salary reduction for a permanent exit, with another loan arrangement possibly forthcoming.

Axel Disasi

The sluggish defender made a promising start at Aston Villa, but their reluctance to purchase him outright indicates Disasi didn't impress during his six-month loan at Villa Park.

The French player has no Chelsea future, with Maresca limiting the former Monaco defender to Conference League and cup appearances during last season's first half.

Disasi has drawn Saudi Pro League attention, though nothing has materialized since FC Neom withdrew their interest.

Renato Veiga

Veiga represented an unusual signing from Basel last summer, with the Portuguese international mainly serving as Marc Cucurella's understudy during his initial six months.

He played a limited role, with most minutes coming in European competition, yet Chelsea sought to part ways as early as January. Veiga eventually moved to Juventus on loan through season's end, making 13 Serie A appearances for the Bianconeri.

The 22-year-old showed reliability in Igor Tudor's defensive setup, and the Blues now aim to profit from Veiga's sale this summer. They invested £12 million ($15.9 million) for his services twelve months ago, and demand should exist for the adaptable defender.

Ben Chilwell

What became of Ben Chilwell, indeed?

Previously among the Premier League's most explosive full-backs, Chilwell has suffered a remarkable decline since joining Chelsea, with injuries and constant managerial turnover transforming the Englishman into an overlooked presence in west London.

Chilwell was named in the Blues' Premier League squad last season but didn't feature in the top division until joining Crystal Palace on loan in January. There, he appeared eight times in the league and contributed to the squad that secured the Eagles' first major trophy.

Palace haven't expressed interest in purchasing Chilwell permanently, but Chelsea hopes a buyer emerges for another highly-compensated player.

David Datro Fofana

Perhaps the most overlooked of Chelsea's forgotten players is Fofana, who hasn't represented the club since 2023 and has been loaned to three different teams.

The Ivorian forward showed promise at Burnley during their 2023–24 Premier League season, then spent last term with Turkish club Göztepe. However, he managed only nine Süper Lig appearances and netted twice.

With his reputation hardly at its peak, Chelsea will likely loan the striker again to enhance his market value. Fofana won't receive opportunities if he stays at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Alfie Gilchrist

Chelsea's 2024 Academy Player of the Year hopes to secure a Championship transfer before the summer window ends, with Gilchrist potentially leaving permanently.

The Blues consistently seek to generate 'pure profit' by selling academy graduates, and Gilchrist may not be viewed as someone capable of meaningfully contributing to Maresca's plans.

The defender made 30 second-tier appearances for promotion-chasing Sheffield United last season and will likely join a club with Premier League aspirations.