Chelsea – Keep or Sell
We’ve all seen the headlines, and they make for grim reading. Yes, amidst stories of academy players being cast aside, rampant player turnover, PSR compliance issues and one PR disaster after another, Chelsea find themselves at something…
Illustrator Gabriel Foligno Photographer Darren Walsh Chelsea FC
We’ve all seen the headlines, and they make for grim reading. Yes, amidst stories of academy players being cast aside, rampant player turnover, PSR compliance issues and one PR disaster after another, Chelsea find themselves at something of a crossroads. With a new manager, an entirely new side and a new philosophy, can Chelsea finally put the turbulence of the last two years behind them and return to their previous status as a Top 4 regular?
/@btl/kendry-paez-the-ecuadorian-wonderkid-headed-for-chelsea
New manager Enzo Maresca might’ve been told that he has time, but the atmosphere surrounding the club is already toxic and given the oft repeated stories on the treatment of players, is getting worse. But, while the mood surrounding the Blues definitely needs to change, two things surrounding the squad have become abundantly clear:
- It needs trimming, there’s a lot of dead wood
- The talent is there to challenge for the top 4
But, with just over a week to go until deadline day, what can Chelsea do to ensure their squad is in the best position to succeed?
Goalkeepers
Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Age: 29
- Contract exp.: 2025
The world’s most expensive keeper, signed as the heir to Thibaut Courtois in 2018, should never have left Spain. Sure, he’s added some medals to his trophy cabinet, but has he earned them? All he will be remembered for is refusing to be subbed off in a cup final. Good riddance.
/@btl/enzo-maresca-the-latest-guardiola-protege-to-make-his-mark-in-world-football
Verdict - Sell
Robert Sánchez
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Age: 26
- Contract exp.: 2030
Sánchez, signed to stabilise a team in transition, hasn’t. He can’t keep a clean sheet (3 in 16 games) and he’s awfully mistake prone. He’s not good enough and he needs to be sold.
Verdict - Sell
Filip Jørgensen
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Age: 22
- Contract exp.: 2031
He’s only just signed so he’s obviously not going anywhere. There’s a lot to like and I’m hoping a lot of his shortcomings are because of Villarreal’s tactical setup as opposed to his own issues.
/@btl/filip-jorgensen-scandinavias-next-top-goalkeeper
Verdict – Keep
Djordje Petrovic
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Age: 24
- Contract exp: 2030
Thrown in at the deep end because of an injury to Sanchez, he certainly started well and showed promise as a shot stopper. He needs to develop, but he’d be a perfect backup to Jørgensen.
/@btl/estevao-willian-the-newest-brazilian-starlet-on-the-rise
Verdict - Keep
Marcus Bettinelli
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Age: 32
- Contract exp.: 2026
Chelsea’s Scott Carson. He’s not hurting anyone and provides a lot of experience for a squad in desperate need. Keep him and let him run his contract out.
/@btl/aaron-anselmino-bocas-teenage-phenom-in-defense
Verdict – Let him run his contract out
Defenders
Levi Colwill
- Position: Centre-Back
- Age: 21
- Contract exp.: 2029
What’s not to love? He’s young, left footed, willing to play wherever required, incredible with the ball at his feet and he led all Chelsea defenders in interceptions per game last season (1.1).
/@btl/levi-colwill-the-chelsea-loanee-making-a-name-for-himself-at-brighton
Verdict - Keep
Axel Disasi
- Position: Centre-Back
- Age: 26
- Contract exp.: 2029
I won’t lie, I’m unsure. Incredibly good on the ball and willing to put himself on the line for the shirt, he’s also error prone. There’s a place for him but I’m not sure it’s as a starter.
/@btl/axel-disasi-the-missing-piece-to-chelseas-defensive-puzzle
Verdict - Keep
Benoît Badiashile
- Position: Centre-Back
- Age: 23
- Contract exp.: 2030
Something’s wrong here and it’s caused his performances to decline. Given how well he started the season, he should be given the chance to fix it. If he can’t he needs to be relegated to backup duty or sold.
/@btl/benoit-badiashile-to-chelsea-a-multi-faceted-data-analysis
Verdict – Wait and See / Sell
Wesley Fofana
- Position: Centre-Back
- Age: 23
- Contract exp: 2029
I, like all Chelsea fans, really want it to work. Sadly, his body doesn’t. He’s missed 77 games due to injury since signing for Chelsea and he’s been out so long that I don’t know what to expect. He started the game against City and looked good, but it remains to be seen if his body can hold up. If it can, perfect. If it can’t, he needs to go. Why keep a player who can’t stay fit?
/@btl/taking-a-deeper-look-at-wesley-fofana
Verdict – Wait and see
Tosin Adarabioyo
- Position: Centre-Back
- Age: 26
- Contract exp.: 2028
A brick wall at the back for Fulham, the 26-year-old might prove to be an astute addition if he plays like he did for the Whites.
/@btl/tosin-adarabioyo-can-fulham-keep-hold-of-their-defensive-star
Verdict - Keep
Trevoh Chalobah
- Position: Centre-Back
- Age: 25
- Contract exp: 2028
I know the writings on the wall, but it’s sad to see. He’s proven countless times that he’s starter quality, can play in a back 3 or 4, can play at RB and is much more defensively assured than other center backs at the club. Let’s not let this become another Marc Guehi.
/@btl/how-trevoh-chalobah-has-made-the-leap-at-chelsea
Verdict - Keep
Marc Cucurella
- Position: Left-Back
- Age: 26
- Contract exp.: 2028
Now here’s an interesting dilemma. Signed for £62m from Brighton, the only thing Cucurella has done consistently since joining Chelsea is show he wasn’t worth the money. Then again, not only did he shock everyone by being the best left back at the Euro’s, but he looked solid in the game against City. Do we keep him? It depends on which version of him we get.
/@btl/the-importance-of-marc-cucurella-in-spains-euro-squad
Verdict – Wait and See
Ben Chilwell
- Position: Left-Back
- Age: 27
- Contract exp.: 2027
This decision’s already been made and it’s sad to see. He definitely doesn’t deserve to be treated the way he has given all he’s done for the club but he’s not the player he once was and Maresca’s already said he doesn’t fit the system. At least we have the memories.
/@btl/player-analysis-ben-chilwell
Verdict – Sell
Reece James
- Position: Right-Back
- Age: 24
- Contract exp.: 2028
Perhaps the biggest waste of potential in the side, James has gone from being one of England’s best right backs to having his name above the treatment room door. He’s missed 360 days through injury since 2022, if he can’t stay fit the club might have to start making alternative arrangements.
/@btl/reece-james-under-the-radar
Verdict - Keep
Malo Gusto
- Position: Right-Back
- Age: 21
- Contract exp.: 2030
Whoever scouted Gusto needs a raise, he’s been incredible since joining from Lyon and will likely be a pivotal figure in defense for the Blues.
/@btl/malo-gusto-analyzing-chelseas-incoming-french-right-back
Verdict - Keep
Josh Acheampong
- Position: Right-Back
- Age: 18
- Contract exp.: 2026
Highly rated despite his young age, James’s injury issues might be the perfect opportunity for Acheampong to get some minutes under his belt. If James stays fit, get him out on loan.
/@btl/bernardo-cueva-chelseas-new-set-piece-coach
Verdict – Keep/Loan
Midfielders
Moisés Caicedo
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Age: 22
- Contract exp.: 2031
The 9-figure fee hanging over his head doesn’t help, but things are on the up. He ended last season well and was one of the best players at the Copa América (he led the tournament in interceptions). Let's hope he can progress even more this season.
/@btl/moises-caicedo-meteoric-feels-insufficient
Verdict - Keep
Roméo Lavia
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Age: 20
- Contract exp.: 2030
Safe to say that any fears about Lavia’s sharpness look over blown for now. The young Belgian looked incredible against Manchester City and looks like one of the best value purchases of the Clearlake era. Let’s see if I still have the same opinion in 6 months.
/@btl/romeo-lavia-what-makes-the-teenage-midfielder-such-a-special-talent
Verdict – Keep
Renato Veiga
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Age: 21
- Contract exp.: 2031
Signed as a utility man, let’s hope he can turn into something more valuable.
Verdict – Keep
Enzo Fernández
- Position: Central Midfield
- Age: 23
- Contract exp.: 2032
There seem to be more questions than answers with Maresca. Where’s his best position? Why have so many managers mis-profiled him? Is he a racist? Can he redeem himself? Who knows. Will he ever be good? No idea. I have to wonder though, when does he become the issue?
Verdict – Wait and see
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
- Position: Central Midfield
- Age: 25
- Contract exp.: 2029
One of the most baffling transfers of the Clearlake era. Yes, I’m fully aware he knows and manager and I’m also aware of his skills in the Championship. But the key word there is CHAMPIONSHIP. Is he really the best we can do? Anyway, while I think he’s more likely to be Danny Drinkwater than N'Golo Kante, I’m happy to be proven wrong. If he’s good, perfect. If not (I’m 99% sure he won’t be) the club needs to sell him.
/@btl/kiernan-dewsbury-hall-how-does-he-fit-in-at-chelsea
Verdict – Keep (sell in future)
Carney Chukwuemeka
- Position: Central Midfield
- Age: 20
- Contract exp: 2028
An extremely promising player when Chelsea signed him from Villa, Carney then proceeded to lose 193 days to injury, robbing him of the chance to showcase his talents. Can he force his way into the first team? I don’t think so and Maresca’s comments back this up. So lets loan him out to a mid-table side and let him rebuild his value before we consider selling him.
Verdict – Sell/Loan
Cesare Casadei
- Position: Central Midfield
- Age: 21
- Contract exp: 2028
Let’s face it, given the money the club have spent on other central midfielders he’s never going to get near the first team. Try to sell him and if there’s no decent offers, then loan him out to build up his value.
/@btl/project-rebuild-through-the-youth-ranks-uncovering-chelseas-new-italian-talent-cesare-casadei
Verdict – Loan/Sell
Cole Palmer
- Position: Attacking Midfield
- Age: 22
- Contract exp.: 2033
I’m not even going to bother; this one speaks for itself.
/@btl/cole-palmers-immediate-impact-at-chelsea
Verdict – Keep at all costs
Christopher Nkunku
- Position: Attacking Midfield
- Age: 26
- Contract exp.: 2029
Signed off the back of an incredible career at Leipzig that saw him average 0.73 goal contributions a game, injuries robbed Chelsea fans of the chance to see a serious talent at work. Thankfully, he’s now got a clean bill of health. The recipe now is simple, play him behind the striker and watch the magic happen.
/@btl/player-analysis-christopher-nkunku
Verdict – Keep
Attackers
Raheem Sterling
- Position: Left Winger
- Age: 29
- Contract exp.: 2027
Sterling’s time at Chelsea has been, to put it bluntly, frustrating. Sure, he scores goals (18 goal contributions last year) but for every game that he’s looked good there’s been a similar number where he’s looked terrible.
/@btl/raheem-sterling-the-premier-league-centurion-headed-for-thomas-tuchels-chelsea
While I’d have thought a year in a Pep style system might have been good for him, the writing seems to be on the wall already with Maresca saying he prefers a ‘different type’ of winger. However, given his reluctance to move abroad and huge wages, it looks like a loan might be best.
Verdict – Loan
Mykhaylo Mudryk
- Position: Left Winger
- Age: 23
- Contract exp.: 2031
The most infuriating player in the team. He’s rapid, direct and a devil with the ball at his feet. At the same time, his decision making, and end product are both laughable. Should he have stayed in Ukraine? Yes. I, like most fans, am hoping a year in a system that doesn’t require him to think will do him good. If he doesn’t, he needs to go on loan, badly.
/@btl/mykhaylo-mudryk-shakhtars-budding-superstar-in-attack
Verdict – Wait and see/Loan
Tyrique George
- Position: Left Winger
- Age: 18
- Contract exp.: 2027
While he’s supposedly very highly rated, the recent acquisition of Pedro Neto means he won’t get game time. Let him go out on loan in the Championship to get some minutes.
/@btl/tyrique-george-chelseas-young-talent-in-the-spotlight
Verdict – Loan
Pedro Neto
- Position: Right Winger
- Age: 24
- Contract exp: 2031
Neto has the age-old issue of being an amazing player when fit. Let’s see if he can stay healthy.
/@btl/pedro-neto-what-does-he-bring-to-chelseas-attack
Verdict - Keep
Noni Madueke
- Position: Right Winger
- Age: 22
- Contract exp.: 2030
While he needs to add goal contributions to his game, the 22-year-old has shown a lot of potential. He’s quick, direct, good with the ball and makes smart choices. Kendry Paez and Estevao might be on their way but they’re here yet. Madueke clearly has the makings of a good player, he just needs to prove it.
/@btl/player-analysis-noni-madueke
Verdict - Keep
Ângelo
- Position: Right Winger
- Age: 19
- Contract exp: 2029
Rumoured to be getting sold in the near future, it’s a shame because he looks good but there just isn’t a path to the first team for the young Brazilian.
/@btl/angelo-chelseas-brazilian-prodigy-who-could-be-headed-for-a-breakout-season-in-ligue-1
Verdict – Sell
Joao Felix
- Position: Second Striker
- Age: 24
- Contract exp: 2031
Signed so that the club could sell Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid, this transfer definitely raises a lot of questions, chiefly where is he going to play? Thankfully, he can do a bit of everything and while the goals aren’t quite there, if he can add those to his game he might finally deliver on his fabled potential.
/@btl/joao-felixs-struggles-at-stamford-bridge
Verdict - Keep
Nicolas Jackson
- Position: Centre-Forward
- Age: 23
- Contract exp.: 2031
Is he as infuriating as Mudryk? Maybe. Is he a top striker? I don’t know. On the one hand, he doesn’t understand offside rules and was 3rd in the Premier League for big changes missed last season (24). On the other hand, the skills are clearly in there somewhere and he scored 14 goals last year. Can he develop? I hope so.
/@btl/nicolas-jackson-chelseas-incoming-senegalese-striker
Verdict - Keep
Romelu Lukaku
- Position: Centre-Forward
- Age: 31
- Contract exp.: 2026
Get rid. He doesn’t want to be here, and we don’t want him. What a waste.
/@btl/le-diable-vous-savez-why-belgium-may-need-to-break-from-romelu-lukaku
Verdict - Sell
David Datro Fofana
- Position: Centre-Forward
- Age: 21
- Contract exp.: 2029
I must admit, I’m really not sure here. If we sign another striker to compete with Jackson then we either loan him or sell him, if we don’t then on the basis we’ll need three strikers he needs to stay.
/@btl/what-to-expect-from-chelseas-newest-signing-david-datro-fofana
Verdict – Keep/Sell/Loan
Deivid Washington
- Position: Centre-Forward
- Age: 19
- Contract exp.: 2030
While anyone can earn the spot as Jackson’s backup, I don’t think it’ll be Washington. As a result, he needs a loan.
/@btl/inside-chelseas-talent-hunt-exploring-the-roles-of-recruitment-heads-driving-the-blues-success
Verdict – Loan
Marc Guiu
- Position: Centre-Forward
- Age: 18
- Contract exp.: 2029
Signed for £6m from Barcelona, I didn’t expect much. I was wrong. He’s looked tenacious, direct and like he’ll be a handful for defenders. He’s earned himself the chance to stay at the club this season, he might just be a bit too inexperienced to be Jackson's backup.
/@btl/marc-guiu-analyzing-chelseas-incoming-striker
Verdict – Keep
Overall Verdict
Despite all the criticism and all of the media pile on, Chelsea have a very talented squad. I fully believe the club is a striker away from being able to compete for the top four. But is the quality of the players enough for the team to finish higher than last year? I think it depends on two things:
- How toxic the atmosphere surrounding the team gets
- Whether players can adapt quickly to the new system
If the players can adapt to the system, or Maresca tweaks it to suit them, and results start to come, perfect. However, if the atmosphere surrounding the team stays toxic and the players fail to adapt to the system, well it might get ugly. Hopefully, those in power at the club find a way to get fans back onside and Maresca’s system gets a bit more love than the last Italian manager to try to institute slow, possession-based football at Chelsea. If this goes the same way as Sarri-Ball, we’ll be looking for our 5th manager in three years by the end of the season.
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Kieran Alder
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