Chelsea certainly appear to be a team who are aiming for a big season in 2025/26.
Enzo Maresca not only led the Blues to a wonderful triumph at the Club World Cup, but he simultaneously managed to bolster his squad in the process.
In came João Pedro and Liam Delap. Elsewhere, Jamie Gittens was signed to bolster Maresca’s wide options, while Brazilian sensation Estevao will link up with the club ahead of the new season.
It is a summer of change at Stamford Bridge, and the victory stateside will only heighten expectations once the Premier League season gets underway in a few weeks.
The $125m that the club won at the tournament this summer will help fund a few of the summer signings, but Maresca will be looking to sell a raft of players to fund more incomings.
João Felix and Christopher Nkunku could be set to leave the club this summer. As to Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga and Raheem Sterling in the coming weeks.
These players could fetch decent fees, which, in turn, will allow the club to further bolster key positions.
Noni Madueke has also been sold to Arsenal, while Nicolas Jackson is being heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge. These two might be the biggest losses.
Chelsea looking to sell more players
Given the imminent arrival of Estevao at Stamford Bridge, plus the presence of Pedro Neto, it was evident that Madueke’s chances of regular game time on the right flank would be limited next term.
When Arsenal began to show serious interest, it was only a matter of when and not if the Gunners would seal the deal.
His sale could earn Chelsea around £50m, which is a remarkable sum for a player who scored seven Premier League goals for the Blues last term.
Jackson has been subject to interest from a host of clubs since the summer transfer window opened a few weeks ago.
Recently, however, it is Manchester United who are keen on securing a move for the Senegal international.
According to reports, United have already held talks with Jackson’s representatives regarding a potential move to Old Trafford.
With Pedro and Delap looking like they will share the centre-forward workload this season, is there any room for Jackson?
Last term, he made just 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring only 13 goals in the process for the club.
His form tailed off towards the end of the season after a decent start, going on to find the back of the net on four occasions after Christmas.
Given his competition for a place in the starting XI combined with his poor form throughout 2025, Jackson could seek a fresh start by moving away from London.
He could easily command a fee of over £50m in the current market, and he wouldn’t exactly be a massive loss to Maresca.
The Blues might have to brace themselves for a potential offer for one of their star players, however, and he would be a far bigger loss than Madueke and Jackson combined…
Chelsea could receive an offer for Cole Palmer
While Maresca is keen on selling several of his first-team players this summer to raise funds, certain players won’t be for sale.
Cole Palmer is one such name. The Englishman is at the forefront of the club’s recent success, and he will have another big part to play next season.
An extraordinary recent report from Spain has claimed that Manchester City are looking to bring him back to the Etihad, just two years after selling him.
Indeed, Pep Guardiola is willing to offer Chelsea £147m to seal a swoop for the former City academy graduate, and he could be the final part of the jigsaw for the Spaniard.
It is highly unlikely that Maresca will even consider such an offer, despite it meaning the club could rake in £100m profit on the midfielder. He is far more important than that ahead of the new season.
What Chelsea would lose if Palmer leaves
For a fee of just £40m, Palmer has arguably been one of the finest signings in the club’s recent history.
Hailed as having a “special quality” in front of goal by Guardiola a few years ago, Palmer soon emerged as one of the finest talents in the Premier League during his maiden season at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer scored 27 goals and grabbed 15 assists for the Blues as they sealed a return to European football under Mauricio Pochettino.
Last season, the former City starlet registered 32 goal contributions across all competitions, particularly shining at the recent Club World Cup.
Indeed, the attacking midfielder was in sublime form stateside. Aside from his five-goal involvements, Palmer averaged 3.5 shots per game, created four big chances while also averaging two key passes each game.
He powered the club to the title, and it sets him up for another wonderful campaign at Stamford Bridge.
This will be the first time the Blues will play in the Champions League since 2022/23, highlighting how important it is for them to keep Palmer.
Metric
2023/24
2024/5
Goals
22
15
Assists
11
8
Big chances created
17
24
Key passes per game
2.1
2.5
Shots per game
3.2
3.4
While everyone has their price, Maresca will surely be ready to turn down any official bid should it arrive in the coming days; that’s for sure.
Jackson and Madueke are certainly dispensable, with the Blues already having players better than them in the current squad.
As for Palmer, there might not be a better attacking midfielder in the whole of England who has offered as much as the Englishman since he moved to London.
There are plenty of weeks left in the transfer window, but every single Chelsea fan will be hoping that their talisman remains at the club. Not just for next season, but for the foreseeable future too.
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