Chelsea’s Premier League squad announcement will be anticipated more than others due to the significant player churn. After a challenging season, Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues will have a lot of new players try to help them qualify for Europe. Senior players like N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have already left the team.
Due to the limited possibilities that followed the January additions of Enzo Fernandez, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, and other players, trimming the roster down in this manner was required. The Blues had too many players for their Champions League roster, and it was difficult to fit a matchday squad for the Premier League when injuries did not make it possible to add more players.
Although a sizable group has so far competed against Wrexham, Brighton, and Newcastle on the preseason tour of the United States, Chelsea’s coaching staff has been sure to manage playing time so that the team will arrive in Liverpool on the first day of the season prepared for competition. A reduced roster will be needed when the Premier League begins, according to Pochettino.
What we can’t have, he stated, is a large squad with players who aren’t involved because it will lead to chaos inside the team. It may not be mathematical, but less may be more and more may be less. I must be clear that we don’t require a large squad for this reason. With some younger players, we need players who are 22, 23, and 24.
Chelsea began its summer transfer window by looking for a custodian, a midfielder and a striker. Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, two contenders for the latter position, both appear to be at ease in front of goal. Given the time previously invested and Pochettino’s expectations for one more midfielder, Moises Caicedo is certainly the perfect possibility should the right deal present itself.
With Kepa Arrizabalaga expected to serve as the team’s undisputed No. 1 custodian for the time being, the need for a new custodian has seemed to decline in importance. Marcus Bettinelli has often been the Blues’ third option, but he has the experience to be a respectable back-up. However, with his current injury, the Blues start to appear a little thin.
The Blues might prefer a more knowledgeable manager, though, to at the very least keep Kepa alert. Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has previously been linked to the club, would be an intriguing choice, albeit his background would not line up with the Slonina-specific career path.
Of course, Trevoh Chalobah and Conor Gallagher’s futures have drawn attention, but it would seem that their departures will make it harder to find players to fill the same responsibilities.
Potential squad: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Giorgi Mamardashvili , Marcus Bettinelli, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Armando Broja.
Players still under 21: Malo Gusto, Lewis Hall, Ian Maatsen, Diego Moreira, Levi Colwill, Andrey Santos, Carney Chukwuemeka, Noni Madueke.
Potential squad: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Giorgi Mamardashvili , Marcus Bettinelli, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Armando Broja.
Players still under 21: Malo Gusto, Lewis Hall, Ian Maatsen, Diego Moreira, Levi Colwill, Andrey Santos, Carney Chukwuemeka, Noni Madueke.
