What is Chelsea's Bomb Squad? Who's in it and where will they be transferred?

Cameron Smith

• 23 Aug 2024 21:30 BST
• 6 min read

Chelsea’s ludicrous spending under Clearlake Capital exceeded the €1.2 billion mark this summer.

10 new players have been signed so far this summer, while Victor Osimhen could make it 11 if his potential move from Napoli is finalised.

As a result of Chelsea’s hugely bloated squad, Enzo Maresca has been forced to split his team into two groups.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

The first group consists of players who have a future under the Italian. The second group consists of players who have been deemed surplus to requirements and have been put up for-sale.

The latter group has been dubbed ‘The Bomb Squad’ and it contains some huge names.

READ MORE: Chelsea's 10 most expensive transfers of all time

Who is in Chelsea’s ‘Bomb Squad’?

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku is no longer Chelsea’s all-time record signing, but he still cost an eye-watering €113m.

A Napoli move is now all-but done, with an agreement reached between the two clubs.

How much did he cost Chelsea? €113m.

Which clubs are interested? Napoli.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Kepa Arrizabalaga somehow remains the most expensive goalkeeper in football history. He cost Chelsea a ridiculous €80m in 2019 and he has vastly underperformed since his arrival.

The Spaniard was loaned to Real Madrid last campaign and could leave permanently before the 2024 summer window ends.

How much did he cost Chelsea? €80m.

Which clubs are interested? Bournemouth and Real Madrid.

Raheem Sterling

Maresca has been extremely vocal about Raheem Sterling, with the Italian admitting that he isn’t the right winger for his style of play.

Multiple clubs have been linked with a move, but Sterling is eager to remain in England and his wages are a problem for both Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

How much did he cost Chelsea? €56.2m.

Which clubs are interested? Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Juventus and Barcelona.

Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell was a key contributor in Chelsea’s Champions League win in 2021, while he was vice-captain last campaign.

However, Maresca has admitted that his system doesn’t suit the Englishman and an exit is certainly plausible.

How much did he cost Chelsea? €50.2m.

Which clubs are interested? Manchester United.

Deivid Washington

Deivid Washington has been stuck in Chelsea’s U21 side since joining the club and although he joined the Blues for a whopping €16m, he hasn’t stood out in the PL2.

It remains to be seen if he will be offloaded or if Washington will spend another season in Chelsea’s U21 team.

How much did he cost Chelsea? €16m.

Which clubs are interested? Unknown.

Angelo Gabriel

Angelo Gabriel appears unlikely to ever play for Chelsea, despite the fact he cost the club €15m.

The Brazilian spent last season on loan at Strasbourg and another loan move away has been touted as an option.

How much did he cost Chelsea? €15m.

Which clubs are interested? Strasbourg.

David Datro Fofana

David Datro Fofana was loaned to Union Berlin and Burnley during the 2023-24 campaign, and a permanent departure is now on the cards.

The Ivorian cost €12 million and Chelsea are hoping to turn a profit on him amid interest from Leicester City, Villarreal and Stuttgart.

How much did he cost Chelsea? €12m.

Which clubs are interested? Leicester City, Villarreal and Stuttgart.

Trevoh Chalobah

Trevoh Chalobah was excluded from Chelsea’s squad for their pre-season tour of the USA and although he wants to stay, the Englishman is set to leave Stamford Bridge.

Multiple Premier League clubs have been linked, but he is eager to secure European football, meaning a move away hasn’t advanced in recent weeks.

How much did he cost Chelsea? Free.

Which clubs are interested? Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, West Ham, Fulham, Newcastle United and Bologna.

Armando Broja

Armando Broja’s career has stalled since an ACL injury in late 2022 and he is now on the verge of leaving Chelsea to join Ipswich Town on a season-long loan deal.

The Albanian will reportedly join Kieran McKenna’s side on a permanent move for €35m if Ipswich escape relegation.

How much did he cost Chelsea? Free.

Which clubs are interested? Ipswich Town.

Tino Anjorin

Tino Anjorin was widely considered as an elite talent during his days in Chelsea’s academy, but he’s never managed to quite make the step up to senior football.

He spent last season on loan at Portsmouth and Empoli are reportedly in talks to sign him.

How much did he cost Chelsea? Free.

Which clubs are interested? Portsmouth and Empoli.

Harvey Vale

Harvey Vale captained England’s U19 side to European Championship glory in 2022 and many expected him to become a regular in Chelsea’s first-team.

That now seems unrealistic, but he impressed at left-wing-back on loan at Bristol Rovers last year.

How much did he cost Chelsea? Free.

Which clubs are interested? Unknown.

Alex Matos

Alex Matos joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Norwich City last summer and he made his first-team debut against Fulham in October 2023.

He joined Huddersfield Town on loan in January and has attracted interest from multiple unnamed Championship clubs.

How much did he cost Chelsea? Free.

Which clubs are interested? Unknown.

Lucas Bergstrom

Lucas Bergstrom joined Chelsea’s U18 side in 2019 and despite progressing through the club’s youth set-up, he is yet to make his first-team debut.

The Finland U21 international spent six months on loan at Brommapojkarna last season and could leave amid significant competition for the goalkeeper gloves at Chelsea.

How much did he cost Chelsea? Free.

Which clubs are interested? Unknown.

Chelsea’s Bomb Squad