- 18 hours ago
Chilwell contract is a clue to FIVE Chelsea players who will be sold
Ben Chilwell is set to sign a new contract at Chelsea - and this offers clues to the Blues' potential summer business.
The English left-back has earned himself a fresh deal at Stamford Bridge, having emerged as a key performer during what will ultimately go down as a mightily disappointing season. A constant in defence when fit, Chilwell has become something of a fan favourite due to his consistent form and reliability.
The 26-year-old arrived from Leicester in 2020 with a €50.2 million price tag, and recent reports linked him with another potential big-money move as Manchester City were apparently interested in acquiring the Chelsea man's services.
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His new arrangement, which will see him extend his stay until 2027, will likely put to bed any rumours about a departure this summer, but the same can't be said for all of Chelsea's players.
Chilwell provides clue to transfer plans
With Chilwell's new deal, Chelsea have made their intention clear that they will talk to players under contract until 2025 ahead of the summer transfer window. This puts these players particularly at risk of being sold as the Blues try to balance their books after lavish spending in 2022/23. So, who does this mean that Chelsea will also be holding discussions with?
Edouard Mendy has long since been linked with a potential departure. Chelsea repeatedly offered him a new contract throughout the season, but the Senegalese reportedly was not satisfied with the terms of the deal and negotiations stalled in the winter - only to be revived in the spring.
At 31, the goalkeeper is still at peak age and Chelsea, who will look for a new shot-stopper this summer, will be keen to recoup the €24m they spent on him in 2020. The same goes for 28-year-old Kepa Arrizabalaga, though it seems unlikely he will go for anything close to the record-breaking €80m the Blues spent on him even if a new deal will inflate his value.
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Hakim Ziyech was already on his way out - albeit on loan - in January, only for Chelsea to mess up the necessary paperwork, forcing him to stick around. 30 years old and having struggled to make an impact, Todd Boehly will be lucky to get half of the €40m that his predecessor paid for the Moroccan.
Linked with Liverpool among other clubs, Conor Gallagher will definitely flush some money into Chelsea's coffers - especially if the youth product signs an extension before departing. Kai Havertz has thrown his Chelsea future into doubt after revealing his admiration for Thomas Tuchel and Bayern Munich and he could be one to leave in the near future, although the Bavarians will be one of only a handful of clubs that can actually afford the €80m man.