Chelsea might have teased another three imminent transfers in their final pre-season friendly of the summer against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge. Xabi Alonso took charge of his first match at Chelsea's home stadium against the La Liga club he started his playing and managerial careers with. But there were three notable absentees from the Blues' match-day squad.
Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Tosin Adarabioyo were all left out by the Spanish coach, and it appears all three are heading for the exit door.
Centre-back cull
Centre-back Adarabioyo, 28, is the subject of interest from Benfica and at least one Premier League club. Alonso has already admitted he wants to reduce the number of centre-halves in his squad, with Chelsea having no European football to play this season, and Adarabioyo may fall victim to that cull.
Champions League newcomers Como, managed by former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, are keen on Delap. The 23-year-old only scored two goals in his first season at the club after a £30million move from Ipswich Town. The £40m-valued centre-forward is however understood to prefer to stay in the Premier League.
Striker surplus
Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich and had been keen to fight for his spot at Chelsea this term. But the Senegalese striker, 25, may be forced to leave for more minutes elsewhere after the arrival of Danny Welbeck.
Aston Villa explored the idea of signing Jackson during the talks which took Morgan Rogers to Stamford Bridge. It remains to be seen if the Villans will renew their interest.
The fact the trio were not even named on the substitutes' bench against Real Sociedad hints they will soon be on the move. Chelsea are the league's biggest spenders this summer but have also made £160m from sales.
More exits expected
And more exits are expected in the next fortnight after Trevor Chalobah's £30m move to Como. Benoit Badiashile is set to join Napoli on loan with Axel Disasi another centre-back who may depart. Mamadou Sarr, David Datro Fofana and Marc Guiu are others who could be loaned out or leave permanently.
Enzo Fernandez is of interest to Manchester City but Chelsea set a 5pm deadline for their rivals to bid for the Argentine, valued at £120m. No offer arrived and so the Blues expect to hold on to the midfielder, who is under contract until 2032.
Against Real Sociedad, Alonso started a team likely to be largely the same XI that starts against Fulham in the opening game of the season. Robert Sanchez was picked in goal in front of a back three of Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and summer signing Maxence Lacroix.
Another new addition, Marco Palestra, started at right wing-back with Pedro Neto at left wing-back. Captain Reece James partnered Moises Caicedo in midfield behind an electric front three of Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro. Rogers made it 1-0 to Chelsea after just 10 minutes as the first man to react to Joao Pedro's saved header.
