Transfer Talk: Five players Chelsea should sell in summer rebuild

It might be more challenging for Mauricio Pochettino to work out which Chelsea players he wants to keep than who he wants to sell.

The Argentine tactician — set to be appointed as new head coach at Stamford Bridge — will not have been impressed by what he has observed during a run of seven defeats from nine matches under Frank Lampard.

Fortunately, Poch will not need to convince anybody of the need for a clear-out. The Blues have used 32 players in the Premier League this season, causing logistical issues at the training ground and confusion on the pitch.

We take a look at five first-team members who seem unlikely to have a future with the Blues.

Edouard Mendy

It has been quite a decline for Mendy since FIFA crowned him the world's best goalkeeper just 16 months ago.

The 31-year-old won the African Cup of Nations with Senegal the following month, too, and it seemed inevitable that several seasons as Chelsea's No1 was to follow.

But the stopper has lost his way this season, with a high-profile error at Leeds setting the tone, and Kepa Arrizabalaga has largely been preferred by both Graham Potter and Lampard.

Tottenham have emerged as a potential destination should the Blues cash in.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Handing Cesar Azpilicueta a two-year contract when he looked set to leave last summer seems like a mistake.

The Spaniard has been off the pace this season and former right-back Gary Neville called it out while commentating on Sunday's defeat to Manchester City.

Neville said: "I am just watching Azpilicueta on that far side. It does take me back to games towards the end of my career. He just looked shattered over there."

The Blues could reward a club legend by allowing him to join a new team on a free transfer rather than demanding a fee.

N'Golo Kante

N'Golo Kante at his scampering best remains a good option but availability is one of his worst attributes.

The Frenchman is counting the cost of the ground he covered during his peak years for Leicester and Chelsea, featuring just nine times this season and breaking down again after a string of appearances in April and May.

In terms of league minutes, the 2018 World Cup winner ranks 25th of the 32 players to have featured.

Kante's stock might still be high enough that Stamford Bridge chiefs can recoup a decent fee this summer, an option that they should consider.

Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic is the best example of Chelsea's haphazard recruitment.

The Blues spent £58million to bring the American to the Premier League in 2019 but have since forked out a fortune on new attackers and left him in no man's land. 

There is seemingly no way back for him at Stamford Bridge, with Pochettino sure to prioritise Todd Boehly signings Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke.

Chelsea will want to make a quick sale and a move to AC Milan has been rumoured.

Hakim Ziyech

Only a "class A circus" prevented Hakim Ziyech from leaving Chelsea for Paris Saint-Germain last January, with the French club hitting out after incorrect documentation was submitted multiple times.

And after a brief flurry of starts in January and February, the Moroccan has been restricted to limited minutes off the bench to try and get back on track.

Even more so than anybody else on this list, the relationship between club and player appears completely broken and it would be a surprise should Ziyech even pitch up for pre-season.

Newcastle and Bayern Munich have previously shown interest that could be resurrected.