Chelsea have reportedly determined that they are prepared to sell at least 13 players during the summer transfer window.
As well as winning the Conference League, the Blues have also secured a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2023 with a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League table.
The first signing of the off-season is expected to be finalised on Monday with Liam Delap leaving Ipswich Town for Stamford Bridge in a £30m deal.
With Andrey Santos and Estevao Willian also being integrated into the squad, Chelsea essentially already have three fresh faces for 2025-26 by the start of June.
However, according to The Guardian, club officials have identified as many as 13 players who will be considered for departures this summer, including Noni Madueke.
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Madueke one of several surprise names on list
Although the winger contributed seven goals and three assists from his 32 Premier League outings in 2024-25, it is claimed that Chelsea chiefs feel that his progression has slowed, resulting in the England international being available for transfer.
Meanwhile, suitable bids may reportedly be considered for goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and defender Wesley Fofana, despite Enzo Maresca having consistently backed the duo when in poor form or during their time on the sidelines.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall may also be offloaded having largely been restricted to being one of Chelsea's most important players during their Conference League run.
Having impressed on loan at Juventus and enhancing his valuation, Renato Veiga is another player who could be sold, particularly when the Portugal international does not want to play second fiddle to Marc Cucurella at left-back.
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No surprise over other names
Chelsea are already known to be open to offers for the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix, even though they will struggle to recoup anywhere near to the combined £98m that they shelled out for the pair.
On the flip side, Chelsea are in a position to make a profit on goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic after he won the Player of the Season award at Strasbourg.
Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi are not in the plans of Maresca, particularly when neither became first choice after joining Crystal Palace and Aston Villa on loan during the winter transfer window.
Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka can only have benefitted from their times at Southampton and Borussia Dortmund this campaign, yet it appears that neither will feature for Chelsea in the future.
With Arsenal having no interest in signing Raheem Sterling after his unproductive loan stint at the Emirates Stadium, the high-earning winger will return to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea having to consider cut-price bids or another offer from a club wanting to sign him on a temporary basis.
Darren Plant
