14 Players Set To Leave Chelsea

Chelsea may have ended their season on a high with a top-four Premier League finish and a UEFA Conference League trophy, but behind the scenes, Enzo Maresca is ready to bring the changes. The Italian head coach, who impressed in his early months, is now preparing for a significant clear out this summer. No fewer than 14 players could be heading out of the club.

Despite signs of progress under Maresca, the Blues’ bloated squad needs trimming. Whether it’s underperformers, big earners, or players returning from underwhelming loans, Stamford Bridge is expected to see plenty of exits before the new campaign kicks off.

Big Names In Attack Facing the Chop

Among the most high-profile names linked with exits are Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, and João Félix, a trio once earmarked to lead Chelsea’s forward line into the future. Despite scoring 11 times last season, Madueke is reportedly on the market. His sale could free up space for new wide players, with Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens both linked with West London moves.

Nkunku, meanwhile, hasn’t lived up to the billing. Signed for £52.7 million from RB Leipzig in 2023, the Frenchman did manage 14 goals last season, but just three of those came in the league. He never quite nailed down a consistent role, struggling out wide and in more central positions.

Bayern Munich showed interest in January, while Manchester United has also been linked. A move away now feels more likely than ever. As for João Félix, his Chelsea career has been a rollercoaster. After joining on loan in 2023, he completed a permanent move from Barcelona worth £45 million, only to be loaned out again to AC Milan by February. He managed just three goals in 21 games for the Rossoneri. A return to Benfica, where he made his name, or even a switch to Flamengo in Brazil, has been touted.

Raheem Sterling is another on the list. The England international still has two years left on a staggering £325,000-a-week contract, but his time at Chelsea appears all but over after a quiet loan spell at Arsenal. Sterling scored just once for the Gunners,  in the League Cup, and was frozen out by Maresca early in the season.

Goalkeepers and Defenders Also At Risk

The same applies to several defenders. Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, and Axel Disasi are all due back from loans but reportedly don’t feature in Maresca’s long-term plans. Injury-hit Wesley Fofana, signed for a hefty £70 million from Leicester in 2022, is also said to be at risk as the club grows increasingly concerned about his fitness record. Trevoh Chalobah, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Crystal Palace, was brought back in January and ended the campaign strongly. Still, even that late resurgence might not be enough to save his spot in the squad.

Midfield Futures Hanging In the Balance

The midfield department isn’t safe either. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a £30 million arrival from Leicester last summer, has struggled to make a real impact. Most of his appearances came in domestic cups, and his place next season is far from guaranteed. To be fair, the midfielder wasn’t given a proper chance in the league either. 

Carney Chukwuemeka spent the back end of the campaign at Borussia Dortmund, and it’s unclear if Chelsea will reintegrate him. Lesley Ugochukwu is due back following Southampton’s relegation, but his future remains undecided. With fresh blood likely coming in,  Liam Delap is reportedly set to join for £30 million from Ipswich, and Chelsea’s midfield could look very different in just a few weeks.

Final Thoughts

This summer marks a decisive chapter in Chelsea’s rebuild. With Champions League football secured and silverware back in the cabinet, Maresca has earned the board’s trust to shape the squad in his image. While some of the names on the exit list may surprise fans, it’s clear the club is prioritizing a streamlined, hungry, and tactically flexible unit for the challenges ahead. The departures of up to 14 players might look brutal on paper, but it could finally bring balance and direction back to the Bridge for a club that has spent heavily over the last three years.