Chelsea must sell or loan 16 players to shrink 41-man squad

Chelsea must cut 16 players from their 41-man senior squad before the transfer window closes, as new manager Xabi Alonso seeks to reduce the group’s size. The Blues have no European football this season, and multiple players are available for sale or loan, including Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, and Marc Guiu. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez carries a £120m price tag, while full-back Malo Gusto is valued at £75m. Chelsea have long relied on player trading under both Roman Abramovich and current owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. They have spent £1.8bn on talent since 2022 but raised nearly £1bn through sales.