Chelsea’s squad: Keep or sell during summer 2024 transfer window

Chelsea currently have a whopping 43 players listed as being a part of their senior first-team heading into the 2024/25 season.

As you can probably guess – that is too many players.

The club now have just a few weeks to try and trim their squad down to an appropriate size so, to give them a helping hand, we at 90min have gone through the first-team with a fine-tooth comb to decide which players Chelsea should keep, sell or send out on loan.

Robert Sanchez – Sell – Considering Enzo Maresca’s insistence on playing out from the back and Sanchez’s noted struggles with the ball at his feet, it makes sense to sell the Spaniard this summer.

Filip Jorgensen – Keep – The new signing is the complete opposite of Sanchez: he’s perfect for Maresca’s system because he’s brilliant on the ball. Expect Jorgensen, despite his young age, to be Chelsea’s number one moving forward.

Marcus Bettinelli – Keep – He’s made only one appearance in three years to date and has a contract for another two, but that’s the weird life of a third-choice goalkeeper.

Djordje Petrovic – Keep – Petrovic filled in for the injured Sanchez quite well during the second half of the 2023/24 season, and will be a handy backup to Jorgensen in 2024/25 too.

Lucas Bergstrom – Sell – Now 21 years old, it’s time for Bergstrom to go elsewhere and be a number one.

Eddie Beach – Loan – Expect the youngster go out on his third loan spell soon.

Kepa Arrizabalaga – Sell – Arguably the worst signing in Premier League history. Sell him, if you can.

Axel Disasi – Keep – The France defender has played a lot of football since joining Chelsea, and fairly well too. He’ll be back from hernia surgery just in time for the new season.

Marc Cucurella – Keep – If Cucurella can replicate his Euro 2024 form at club level, he’ll be one of the best left-backs in England. That’s a big ‘if’ though.

Tosin Adarabioyo – Keep – A surprisingly shrewd free agent signing, Tosin is a solid hand.

Benoit Badiashile – Keep – Fans weren’t particularly happy with his pre-season performance against Real Madrid, but the 23-year-old does have plenty of potential.

Levi Colwill – Keep – The key man at the back. If Colwill takes the leap that’s expected of him, he’ll be the leader of this defence for years to come.

Trevoh Chalobah – Sell – Left out of the pre-season tour squad, linked with a move to Fulham and now 25 years old, it’s time for Chalobah to leave Stamford Bridge.

Ben Chilwell – Keep – His injury history isn’t exactly pretty, but when he’s fit Chilwell can contribute to this Chelsea team.

Reece James – Keep – See above.

Watch 90min’s studio team pick Chelsea’s 2024/25 starting XI on YouTube. If you can’t see the embed, click here.

Malo Gusto – Keep – The 21-year-old was one of the few bright spots for Chelsea’s defence during 2023/24. He’s a more than capable replacement for James when he’s (inevitably) out injured.

Wesley Fofana – Keep – Injuries has largely curtailled Fofana’s career since moving to the Premier League. Now on his way back to fitness, Chelsea will be hoping the Frenchman can finally get some minutes under his belt at Stamford Bridge.

Josh Acheampong – Loan – Having signed his pro contract in January, this summer looks like the perfect time for Acheampong to go out on loan and play some regular senior football.

Bashir Humphreys – Loan – Another loan spell would do the defender the world of good.

Caleb Wiley – Loan – A summer signing from MLS side Atlanta United, currently there seems to be no route to regular gametime available for the USMNT international at Stamford Bridge, so a loan it is.

Enzo Fernandez – Keep – On and off the pitch, Enzo Fernandez has barely put a foot right since joining Chelsea. However, he cost over £100m, so they have to try and make it work.

Lesley Ugochukwu – Loan – Another on the lengthy list of ‘young players who need to go out on loan to get gametime’.

Carney Chukwuemeka – Sell – Having not featured in any of Chelsea’s last three pre-season games, and with a £30m asking price slapped on his head, it looks like Chukwuemeka’s time is up.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Keep – A new signing who will be aiming to impress under Maresca.

Moises Caicedo – Keep – The most expensive player in British football history, but yet to justify that status. Caicedo will stay, but he has to up his performance levels.

Cesare Casadei – Sell – The Italian have been heavily linked with a move to Serie A, and it’s a move that would make a lot of sense for him.

Omari Kellyman – Keep – A surprise new signing during the summer window. The 18-year-old is highly thought of.

Renato Veiga – Loan – Yep, another of the summer signings, but one that’d be better of searching for gametime on loan somewhere else.

Romeo Lavia – Keep – Finally back to full fitness after an injury-riddled maiden campaign in blue, many are expecting Lavia to have a big season.

Tino Anjorin – Sell – The 22-year-old has played one Premier League game for the Blues since joining in 2019. It’s time to leave.

Raheem Sterling – Sell – It hasn’t quite worked out for Sterling back in London. If they can find a suitor, it’s perhaps best to sell while he still holds some relative value in the market.

Mykhailo Mudryk – Sell – Yes, he’s only 23. And yes he cost a fortune. And yes he’s on a lengthy deal. But, to call a spade a spade: Mudryk simply just doesn’t look up to it at this level. And with plenty of forwards already on the books, it’s probably time to try and ship him out.

Noni Madueke – Keep – One of the bright sparks of Chelsea’s pre-season, Madueke is progressing well.

Nicolas Jackson – Keep – He was the butt of a few jokes last season, but Jackson’s 14 goals and five assists in the Premier League is a very decent return for a maiden campaign in the league.

Christopher Nkunku – Keep – The star of last year’s pre-season barely kicked a ball in 2023/24 due to injuries. Now back to full fitness, he’ll be a key player for Maresca’s side moving forward.

Armando Broja – Sell – Look, he’s not good enough. He has to be sold.

Cole Palmer – Keep – The best footballer at the club. Of course Chelsea have to keep hold of him.

Tyrique George – Loan – The talented youngster would benefit from a loan spell at a Championship or League One club in 2024/25.

Deivid Washington – Loan – Highly-rated but will likely not get much gametime in the near future.

Marc Guiu – Keep – Signed for just £5m from Barcelona, this was shrewd business for a seemingly very talented young striker.

Angelo Gabriel – Loan – The Brazilian spent last season out on loan at Strasbourg, and a similar loan spell wouldn’t go amiss this season either.

David Fofana – Sell – The 21-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs and is expected to leave, at the very least, on loan.

Romelu Lukaku – Sell – It’s a seemingly impossible task, but Chelsea need to permanently get rid of Lukaku.

READ THE LATEST FEATURES AND ANALYSIS FROM 90MIN