Chelsea suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sunderland, which condemned the Blues to another season outside of Europe.
Despite first to sixth in the Premier League table qualifying for the Champions League, Chelsea managed only one win in their final nine games and finished in 10th place.
The Blues have now missed out on Champions League football for the third time in four seasons under the Clearlake and Todd Boehly Consortium.
BlueCo have since announced they will be tweaking their model, but they should be ripping it apart and developing a more cohesive plan led by a more competent sporting leadership.
Incoming manager Xabi Alonso certainly has his work cut out for him if he wants to galvanise this team and return them to the top after an abominable 2025/26 campaign.
Firstly, he will have to move on a lot of deadwood that has clogged and stagnated the team, sending some out to get valuable playing time while keeping a core that is ready to perform week in, week out.
Without further ado, we run through which players Chelsea must keep, sell, or loan ahead of next season.
Goalkeepers
Robert Sanchez (Sell) – He has been decent and improved from his early days, but Chelsea need a reliable figure between the sticks, which he is not.
Filip Jorgensen (Sell) – The former Villarreal goalie never once looked like he could challenge for the starting role. A flop that should be shipped off.
Gaga Slonina (Keep) – If he is okay with being the third-choice goalkeeper, Chelsea should keep him just for that.
Note: Mike Penders may be returning, but Chelsea must add another serious goalkeeper, such as Mike Maignan or Robin Roefs, to the mix to push him for a starting berth.
Defenders
Levi Colwill (Keep) – Arguably Chelsea’s only decent centre-half. He deserves a partner who operates on his level.
Wesley Fofana (Sell) – One of the highest earners but struggles to stay fit, sucks in duels, and lacks concentration. His red card against Sunderland should be his final action in the club’s colours.
Benoit Badiashile (Sell) – Somehow even worse than Fofana. The early promise he showed has since faded. Get rid!
Tosin Adarabioyo (Sell) – How can a 6ft5 defender be so unimposing in duels? Even as a free transfer, Adarabioyo has been a calamitous addition, and they must move him on.
Mamadou Sarr (Loan) – If he doesn’t make himself more imposing aerially, it will make his smart reading of the game on the ground redundant. Loan him back to Strasbourg, where they need him.
Trevoh Chalobah (Keep) – He has been just as bad as the aforementioned defenders, but he can play as a fourth-choice. He has also shown valuable leadership and could help with continuity.
Note: Chelsea must add at least two centre-halves to their ranks this summer. A free move for Ibrahima Konate, and ideally adding someone like Jacobo Ramon, would take this team up a level.
Full-backs
Marc Cucurella (Sell) – The Spaniard reportedly wants to leave, and Chelsea should open the gates. Valentin Barco and Jorrel Hato are more than ready to make up for his technical deficiencies.
Jorrel Hato (Keep) – The teenage full-back/centre-half was one of the bright spots of a dire second half of the season and could be ready to explode next term.
Reece James (Keep) – Chelsea’s captain will be around, but he must become a more vicious and intense leader. He needs to learn to get in the face of referees and keep his teammates in check.
Malo Gusto (Keep or Sell for a good sum) – Gusto has not kicked on since his stellar 2023/24 campaign. He is a fantastic back-up on his day, but if a good offer comes, take it and run.
Note: Chelsea are all set at full-back. If Gusto leaves, they should consider giving academy starlet Genesis Antwi his shot at right-back.
Midfielders
Moises Caicedo (Keep) – One of the few who has managed to maintain a decent level throughout the season. Keep him!
Enzo Fernandez (Keep) – Chelsea cannot afford to let go of their best player this season. Successive seasons of 20+ goal contributions are rare, and the Blues should pay the man whatever he wants.
Andrey Santos (Keep) – The Brazilian needs a coach ready to harness his potential because he does have a lot of it. He must play a much bigger role in the team next year.
Dario Essugo (Loan) – Essugo struggled with injuries that never let him establish himself at Stamford Bridge, but a good loan will do him a world of good. He can be a future world-beater.
Romeo Lavia (Sell) – The 22-year-old is a fine holding midfielder but struggles to stay fit. The fact that he is yet to complete a 90-minute game for Chelsea after three years is unbelievable. Sell now!
Note: Chelsea need to sign at least one central midfielder this summer, and one of Elliot Anderson, Bruno Guimaraes, or Lamine Camara must come through the door.
Attackers
Jamie Gittens (Sell) – A phenomenally bad transfer that goes under the radar. Signing him was practically sending €55 million down the drain. Sell!
Alejandro Garnacho (Sell) – A distinct lack of one-v-one ability and poor decision-making hampers his serviceable end-product. The Blues need better.
Pedro Neto (Sell) – Despite recording 20 goal contributions, he was atrocious, making one puzzlingly poor decision after another with the ball. Sell him!
Estevao Willian (Keep) – The Brazilian is a talented gem that can develop into a world-class forward under the right conditions.
Cole Palmer (Keep) – Getting him back to his best levels next season will be key for Alonso. The Chelsea talisman also needs to take the bull by the horns.
Note: Geovany Quenda should get a place in the squad, but the West Londoners need a marquee winger a la Bradley Barcola and a creative attacking midfielder like Lee Kang-in.
Strikers
Joao Pedro (Keep) – With 20 goals and nine assists in his debut season, the Blues must stave off Barcelona’s interest and keep him.
Nicolas Jackson (Keep) – Jackson should not be a starting centre-forward for Chelsea, but he is a much better option to stretch defences off the bench than what they currently have. Keep!
Liam Delap (Sell) – There is a case to be made that he was the worst signing of the season. His penchant for yellow cards is annoying, and the club must get rid of him asap.
Marc Guiu (Loan) – The young Spaniard needs a loan to the Bundesliga, Primeira Liga, or Eredivisie, where his knack for goals can shine.
Note: Chelsea have signed Emanuel Emegha, but questions over fitness and character have raised red flags. With no European football, they may be better off cutting their losses early and riding with Pedro and Jackson.
Sell:
David Datro Fofana, Caleb Wiley, Leo Castledine, Filip Jorgensen, Tyrique George, Romeo Lavia, Emanuel Emegha, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Robert Sanchez, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho.
Loan:
Ishe Samuels-Smith, Josh Acheampong, Deivid Washington, Omari Kellyman, Dastan Satpaev, Aaron Anselmino, Mamadou Sarr, Marc Guiu, Kendry Paez.