Chelsea’s £250m firesale, with SIX names already sold and FIVE more expected to follow
Mauricio Pochettino has wasted no time in thinning out Chelsea’s bloated first-team roster, having already released six talents from Stamford Bridge.
Any doubts that Mauricio Pochettino was ruthless enough to walk into Chelsea and get clear of underperforming players have been dispelled in short order.
The Argentine is in the throes of a firesale that has resulted in the sale of six players, following a 2022–2023 season in which spending and signings were beyond questionable. And he’s not done yet, as five more first-team talents are expected to leave in a mass exodus that could net the club approximately £250 million.
Cynics could point to the Financial Fair Play restrictions as the driving force behind Chelsea’s clinical approach. Any transactions concluded by June 30 will be included in the London club’s financial statements for the 2022/23 season, balancing the books after Todd Boehly oversaw £600 million in two transfer windows.
Without exception, Pochettino’s work has been efficient and vicious. Kai Havertz, who scored the game-winning goal in the Champions League final for Chelsea in 2020/21, has joined Arsenal for £65 million. Mateo Kovacic has also joined a rival club, agreeing a £25 million deal with Manchester City.
In the meantime, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, and N’Golo Kante have all joined Saudi Pro League clubs. And on Friday, Ruben Loftus-Cheek became the sixth confirmed departure after his £18.5 million transfer to AC Milan.
The cleansing is not yet complete. Hakim Ziyech’s proposed move to the Middle East has been put on pause after failing his medical at Al-Nassr. The clubs had previously agreed on a £17 million transfer fee. He could still secure an exit before the summer window closes, despite his setback.
Both Kai Havertz and Mason Mount will depart Chelsea this summer.
And the summer’s most prominent departure from Stamford Bridge is nearing completion. Mason Mount will depart his hometown club for Manchester United after a deal worth up to £60 million was finalized on Thursday. After protracted negotiations, both parties are now working on the fine print.
It is almost certain that strikers Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will never play for Chelsea again, with Pochettino’s pursuit of Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson signaling his intentions and Christian Pulisic available for £25 million.
Chelsea’s £250m firesale, with SIX names already sold and FIVE more expected to follow
