In a dramatic shake-up at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has made his ruthless intentions clear by excluding nine first-team players from the club's pre-season preparations.
Who's on the chopping block?
The Blues' clear-out includes some surprising big names:
- Romelu Lukaku - The £97.5m striker remains frozen out after his controversial interview last season
- Hakim Ziyech - Nearly joined Al-Nassr before his medical revealed issues
- Callum Hudson-Odoi - Once considered Chelsea's crown jewel, now deemed surplus
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - The veteran striker's nightmare spell appears over
Pochettino's revolution begins
The Argentine manager, who only took charge last month, is wasting no time stamping his authority on the squad. Insiders reveal the excluded players have been told to train separately while the club seeks permanent moves or loan deals.
This brutal culling comes as Chelsea prepare for their US pre-season tour, with Pochettino clearly wanting only committed players involved in his rebuilding project.
Financial fair play pressures
The mass exodus isn't just about footballing reasons. Chelsea's extravagant spending under Todd Boehly's ownership has left them needing to balance the books to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
With several high earners now deemed unnecessary, the club hopes to generate significant transfer fees while reducing the wage bill substantially.
