Yahoo Sports Five players Chelsea should sell this summer
Chelsea’s extraordinary spending in recent transfer windows has bloated the Blues’ squad, with the West Londoners again active this summer with five new arrivals and counting.
The new additions mean Enzo Maresca and his team have work to do to reduce the numbers and significant sales are expected before the transfer deadline.
We look at five players Chelsea should sell this summer.
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku looks set to conclude his miserable second stint at Chelsea this summer, having spent the past two seasons out on loan. The Belgium international re-signed for Chelsea in a £97.5m deal in 2021, but an ill-fated return lasted just a single season before he was loaned out.
Lukaku scored 21 goals in all competitions at AS Roma in 2023-24 but his £38m asking price is out of reach for the Italian side.
Napoli are interested and monitoring his situation, as the club considers contingency options ahead of Victor Osimhen’s expected exit. Antonio Conte has taken charge of Napoli this season and is open to a reunion with Lukaku, having won the Serie A title together at Inter Milan in 2020-21.
🚨🔵 Romelu Lukaku gives total priority to Napoli, waiting for them in case Victor Osimhen leaves the club.
Lukaku wants to re-join Antonio Conte while Conte’s also very keen on signing Romelu.
If Osimhen leaves, Napoli will be ready to advance in talks with Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/OvT5Eo1dMq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2024
The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona looks the likeliest option for Lukaku this summer, though teams in the Saudi Pro League have not given up hope.
Armando Broja
Armando Broja spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham after he was unable to break into Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. The forward’s progress has stalled due to injuries and a lack of minutes at Chelsea, while the loan switch across the capital failed to work out as hoped as Broja failed to start a Premier League game.
The Albania international retains admirers in the Premier League and across Europe, while at 22 he has the time to fulfil the potential he first showed during loan spells at Vitesse Arnhem and Southampton.
Chelsea are unlikely to recoup the £50m valuation placed on the Slough-born striker in January, though there will not be a shortage of interest.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Another big-money signing who struggled at Stamford Bridge, Kepa Arrizabalaga became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he arrived at Chelsea in 2019.
A £72m recruit from Athletic Bilbao, Kepa’s time in the Premier League has seen him fall in and out of favour, before spending last season on loan at Real Madrid.
After initially replacing the injured Thibaut Courtois, Kepa lost his place in the team to Andriy Lunin and started just one league game after January 21. Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad have reportedly offered the 13-cap Spain international an escape route from West London.
🚨 Chelsea turn down initial bid for Kepa Arrizabalaga from Al Ittihad. #CFC talks continue with #AlIttihad + other clubs ahead of anticipated permanent exit for 29yo goalkeeper this summer following #RMFC loan last season. W/ @GuillermoRai_ @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/a3NuCvmFa8
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 12, 2024
David Datro Fofana
David Datro Fofana also forms part of the loan brigade that has returned to Chelsea this summer.
The Ivorian forward failed to make an impact on loan at Union Berlin over the first six months of the 2023-24 campaign before his spell was cut short in January.
He joined Burnley on another temporary arrangement but was unable to keep the Clarets in the Premier League, despite four goals in 10 starts in a flash of his talent.
A spectacular strike at West Ham was the highlight for Fofana, who at 21 will want regular minutes as he looks to break back into the Ivory Coast set-up. Opportunities appear limited at Chelsea.
Carney Chukwuemeka
Carney Chukwuemeka decided to leave Aston Villa for Chelsea having become frustrated waiting for an opportunity at Villa Park, but the transfer has not paved a path to first-team football.
The 20-year-old has started just four Premier League games and has totalled only 570 minutes across two seasons with the Blues, stalling his development after a bright emergence for England at youth level.
Your August Goal of the Month winner, Carney Chukwuemeka! 👏 pic.twitter.com/x6txEpDjyg
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 6, 2023
Chukwuemeka was named in the Team of the Tournament as England won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2022 but a first-team breakthrough has failed to materialise. He will be desperate to earn senior minutes, at Chelsea or elsewhere.
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