January clear out – Chelsea ready to offload six first-team stars in January
Chelsea are reportedly open to offers for six players as they look to streamline their squad in January, according to the Telegraph.
The Blues want to avoid the situation they had last season, where they added several signings in the winter transfer window and bloated Graham Potter’s squad.
Chelsea will practice a one-in, one-out policy to ensure the squad does not grow out of control.
They aim to make two or three January additions including a new striker. Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney are top targets.
Chelsea may also consider defensive reinforcement to bolster their backline after conceding 12 goals in their last three games.
The two-time Champions League winners are willing to listen to offers for Malang Sarr, Trevoh Chalobah, Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and Armando Broja to balance the squad.
Sarr failed to attract any interest after a poor loan spell at AS Monaco last season and the Blues are looking to move him on.
They hope to recoup a little value, no matter how small, for the French defender they signed for free in 2021.
Chelsea made Chalobah available for sale during the summer, and he attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Nottingham Forest, but a move did not materialise.
He has since been sidelined with an injury but will be available in January.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, who gave him his Chelsea debut, is a big fan and could return for Chalobah with Die Rekordmeister short in the centre-back area.
The Blues accepted a £31.5 million offer from Burnley for Maatsen in the summer, but the player opted not to move.
The Dutchman will be regretting that decision after falling down manager Mauricio Pochettino’s pecking order for the left-back position.
With Ben Chilwell injured and Marc Cucurella playing like the version of David Luiz that made Gary Neville remark that the Brazilian plays as though controlled by a 10-year-old on a Playstation, Pochettino has preferred central defender Levi Colwill at left-back over Maatsen.
It is pretty indicative of the coach’s trust in him. Chelsea will listen to offers for his services, and he would be wise to use the exit door this time while it is open.
Gallagher is entering the final year of his contract, and Chelsea have not started talks with him despite the manager wanting to keep him.
Chelsea might consider a massive offer for Gallagher, who has been impressive this term and arguably their best player.
It would be a catastrophic move for them to sell Gallagher despite taking his game up several notches this season, but the Blues have made more ponderous decisions.
Conversely, Pochettino doesn’t seem to trust Madueke and will be open to seeing him leave if a decent offer comes in. It is the same for Broja, who is playing back-up to Nicolas Jackson and has interest from Fulham.
Chelsea want to build a lean and focused squad for the rest of the season as opposed to their tactless moves last year that left the manager with a squad he couldn’t manage.
They will also be wise to add experience after struggling with immature decisions throughout the season.