Chelsea to offload five to raise funds that won’t be spent on Miralem Pjanić — report

In a bit of a general overview of Chelsea’s upcoming transfer activities, ESPN FC claim that the Blues will be looking to offload a handful of players to help bolster the funds needed to continue the massive squad rebuild that began last summer.

The five names on ESPN’s list will come as no surprise, though the idea that we’d be able to offload all of them (either permanently or just on loan) before next season is probably a bit too hopeful. The names are Marcos Alonso, Emerson Palmieri, Michy Batshuayi, Tiémoué Bakayoko and Davide Zappacosta. Neither N’Golo Kanté nor Jorginho feature on the list, contrary to recent rumor headlines.

What might Chelsea do with the extra funds? ESPN list all the usual names in this regard as well — Jadon Sancho, check; Ben Chilwell, check; Moussa Dembélé, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Timo Werner, check check check — but make a point of playing down the Miralem Pjanic rumors, which is probably a good thing. (Sorry not sorry, Sarri!)

Given the expected new economic reality, it will be ever more imperative for Chelsea to make smart decisions and smart deals in the transfer market. If we can utilize the young talent already at the club and still coming through in the Academy, and combine that with surgical, quality signings, we should be set for another era of trophy-winning and success!