Chelsea still have a big squad despite what Maresca says

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca tends to bark back at media that suggests the club have 'a big squad'.

The assertion is that it is a lazy barb as Chelsea offloaded a host of players in the summer.

However, simple maths shows Chelsea still have an unusually large squad and must continue their work in January to cut down on numbers.

Maresca often says we don't have more than other clubs, which is the usual 25 players allowed in the Premier League and Uefa competitions (with some allowances to have extra young players).

But let's list the players: Sanchez, Bettinelli, Jorgensen (goalkeepers); James, Gusto, Disasi, Tosin, Colwill, Fofana, Badiashile, Cucurella, Veiga (defenders); Fernandez, Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall, Lavia (midfielders); Palmer, Madueke, Felix, Sancho, Mudryk, Neto (wide attackers); Nkunku, Jackson (strikers).

That's 24 players but it doesn't include Cesare Casadei, Carney Chuwkeuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Marc Guiu - all of whom have substantial first team experience - costing millions when joining Chelsea.

Just including those takes the squad to a 'big' 27 players.

There are also Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong, who have both been promoted from the academy team to first team.

Both Omari Kellyman and Deivid Washington, who cost around £17m, which by adding those four would take the squad to a bigger 31.

There is also Finland international goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom and a host of youth players with first team experience, including Kiano Dyer, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Harvey Vale, Alex Matos, Jimi Tauriainen, Shim Mheuka, Harrison Murray-Campbell and Ato Ampah.

That would take the squad to a much bigger 41 players. Unfortunately, the assertion that Chelsea don't have a big squad doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

That's why Chelsea will be allowing players that want to leave the chance to exit in January.