Chelsea must reshape Alonso’s squad as transfer window countdown begins

Chelsea have 25 days to move on 16 senior players before the summer transfer window closes if they are to reduce Xabi Alonso’s squad to a group of 25.

According to Football.London, Chelsea have 41 contracted senior players despite several departures already taking place. Alejandro Garnacho, Andrey Santos, Marc Cucurella and Tyrique George have headed out, while Filip Jorgensen and Trevoh Chalobah are on their way to Strasbourg and Como respectively.

That still leaves Chelsea with less than a month to reduce the senior group by more than a dozen players before the window closes.

Transfer-system reform limits Chelsea’s options

The report says so-called bomb squads are no longer an option for Chelsea this season. The change forms part of a wider reform of the international transfer system developed through discussions involving CONMEBOL, FIFA, FIFPRO, European Football Clubs, UEFA and the World Leagues Association.

FIFPRO said the reforms expressly prohibit practices including demoting players, forcing them to train in isolation as a form of pressure, withholding passports and abusing registration procedures. Chelsea therefore face the task of reducing the size of Alonso’s squad within the remaining 25 days.

Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Caleb Wiley, David Datro Fofana and Marc Guiu have not been involved in Chelsea’s pre-season preparations and are not training with the first team.

Disasi was part of Chelsea’s bomb squad last season alongside Raheem Sterling, who left by mutual agreement in January. Disasi remains under contract for another three years. The report says Chelsea have placed a £25million price tag on the defender amid interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham, after loan spells at Aston Villa and West Ham in recent years.

Chelsea are also seeking £25million for Guiu, who briefly joined Sunderland last season before being recalled after Liam Delap’s injury. Badiashile has 12 months remaining on his contract, with the report stating that this adds £5million to his valuation.

Further departures could follow

Several other players could leave. Delap is among those who could be on the way out following Danny Welbeck’s arrival, while fellow forwards Emmanuel Emegha and Nicolas Jackson also face uncertain futures. Chelsea want £65million for Jackson.

Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto are also among the prominent players who could leave this summer. Chelsea would want close to £200million combined for Fernandez and Gusto, who are due back from their extended break after the World Cup next week.

Dario Essugo and Gabriel Slonina could also depart. Kendry Paez, Omari Kellyman, Reggie Walsh, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Shim Mheuka are youngsters who may be loaned out as Chelsea seek to reduce Alonso’s squad size.

With 25 days remaining before the transfer window closes, Chelsea must reduce the senior group if they are to bring Alonso’s squad down to 25 players.