CHELSEA fans have enjoyed perhaps the most exciting summer of any Premier League team.
The Blues have already sealed deals for the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell ahead of the new campaign.
And these big names could soon be followed by Kai Havertz and Declan Rice.
But amid all the excitement, transfer supremo Marina Granovskaia will be keen to go some way toward balancing the books in the transfer market – with a number of first-team stars at risk of being sold.
So let’s take a look at which players could be on their way out of Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.
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MARCOS ALONSO – VALUE £16m
The Spaniard has provided some key moments in a Chelsea shirt, including memorable goals against London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal.
But Marcos Alonso, 29, has seen his importance to the Blues wane over the last 12 months.
Although still a useful option at left wing-back – his defensive abilities appear to let him down when playing as part of a regular back four.
With Ben Chilwell’s arrival he could be on his way out, with Transfermarkt valuing him at a cool £16million.
ROSS BARKLEY – £19m
The England international’s importance rose post-lockdown last season – playing regularly and delivering his best performances in a Chelsea shirt to date.
But given the influx of talent this summer Barkley, 26, could see his first-team chances limited yet again at Chelsea.
With Kai Havertz set to arrive from Bayer Leverkusen, and Declan Rice still linked with a return, Barkley is likely to find himself sidelined again.
Should the Blues let him go, however, they stand to make a profit on the £15m they paid to recruit him from Everton.
EMERSON PALMIERI – £18m
Emerson, 26, has never quite impressed himself upon the Chelsea first-team since arriving from AS Roma in January 2018.
Having been given a chance early on in Frank Lampard’s reign, the Italian saw his opportunities decrease dramatically by the end of the season.
In fact, the left-back played only two minutes of Premier League football after January 21.
He could reunite with old boss Antonio Conte at Inter Milan – with an £18m deal having been mooted.
JORGINHO – £47m
Forever tainted in many eyes by his association with former boss Maurizio Sarri, Jorginho did actually begin the 2019-20 season in favour at Stamford Bridge.
Tellingly, however, the 28-year-old was dropped by Lampard for Billy Gilmour post-lockdown, with the teenage Scot impressing immensely.
The Italian did return following Gilmour’s injury, but the writing appears to be on the wall for him at Chelsea.
Getting anyone to fork out nearly £50m, however, will be a difficult task – perhaps their best hopes lie in keeping an eye on where Sarri ends up, when trying to flog Jorginho.
KEPA ARRIZABALAGA – £26m
The calamity keeper is fighting for his future, having made a collection of clangers between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.
SunSport exclusively revealed last month that the £71m Spaniard wants to fight for his Chelsea future.
Legendary Blues stopper Petr Cech still thinks that Kepa can thrive in West London.
But the Blues will surely listen to offers for their error-prone goalkeeper, 25.
DAVIDE ZAPPACOSTA – LOAN
Chelsea spent £23m on Davide Zappacosta during their disastrous summer transfer window of 2017.
The Italian failed to deliver anything other than tepid, unmemorable performances over the next two seasons under Antonio Conte and then Maurizio Sarri.
He was shipped out on loan to AS Roma last season, although the Italians appear unlikely to pursue a permanent deal.
With no other suitors on the table, the 28-year-old could head out on loan again – with Fiorentina interested.
TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO – £20m
Like Zappacosta, Tiemoue Bakayoko was another underwhelming signing to arrive in 2017.
The Frenchman was supposed to add an extra dimension to the Blues’ midfield, but failed to settle in English football.
He has since spent time on loan at AC Milan and then old club AS Monaco.
And the 26-year-old is expected to join Milan again imminently – initially on loan before completing a £20m permanent deal.
MICHY BATSHUAYI – £20m
Having enjoyed good loan spells at Borussia Dortmund and Crystal Palace, Michy Batshuayi tried to force his way back into Chelsea’s plans upon his return to Stamford Bridge last time out.
Just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances followed, however, and he was not called upon at all by Frank Lampard post-lockdown.
The Belgian’s previous pedigree has got him on the radar of a number of teams though.
And Leeds were recently linked with making a £20m move for the 26-year-old – although since opted to sign Rodrigo from Valencia.
DANNY DRINKWATER – £4m
While the 2017 acquisitions of Tiemoue Bakayoko and Davide Zappacosta didn’t work out, their comparative failures pale into insignificance compared to that of Danny Drinkwater.
Signed for £40m from Leicester City to replace the Manchester United-bound Nemanja Matic, Drinkwater has made just 23 appearances for the Blues in three years.
He also failed to make a positive impact during loan spells last season at Burnley and Aston Villa – making a total of six appearances.
With two years still remaining on his Blues contract, Transfermarkt value him at around £4m – although at this rate Chelsea would be lucky to get even that.
