MX23RW : Tuesday, May 28 09:02:16| >> :60:1581:1581:

Chelsea 'looking to sell four more first-team players this summer'

Chelsea 'looking to sell four more first-team players this summer'
© Reuters
Chelsea are reportedly hopeful of offloading Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi before beginning their pre-season tour.

Chelsea are reportedly looking to sell four more first-team players before the squad begins their pre-season tour next week under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss inherited a packed-out dressing room when he arrived at Stamford Bridge following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, and the West Londoners have already made massive efforts to reduce their numbers of playing staff.

Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and N'Golo Kante have all secured moves to the Saudi Pro League, linking up with Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal and Al Ittihad respectively.

The Blues have seen a few of their academy graduates leave the club permanently, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek joining AC Milan and Mason Mount moving to Manchester United for £55m plus add-ons.

Chelsea's Mason Mount looks dejected after the match on April 18, 2023© Reuters

The blue side of Manchester have also benefited from a huge sale of stars at Chelsea this summer, with Champions League-winning midfielder Mateo Kovacic making the switch to the Etihad as Pep Guardiola looks to replace Ilkay Gundogan in his engine room.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea want a further four first-team players out of the door before they commence their pre-season tour next week.

It is understood that the quartet of players include Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi, with any money from the sale of the latter set to be calculated as pure profit, helping ease the Blues' financial fair play struggles.

The 22-year-old spent the 2022-23 term on loan at German outfit Bayer Leverkusen, however the winger failed to make a decent impression in the Bundesliga, starting just seven league games and failing to make the net ripple.

Callum Hudson-Odoi in action for Bayer Leverkusen on September 7, 2022© Reuters

Moroccan attacker Ziyech was set to follow the likes of Kante and Mendy to the riches of Saudi Arabia, although a failed medical meant that a pending move to Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr was scrapped.

Lukaku was loaned out to Inter Milan last term and helped the Nerazzurri reach the final of the Champions League, however the Belgian missed vital chances in the showpiece match against Manchester City which could have seen the Italians win their first European crown since 2010.

A separate report by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that the Serie A giants are preparing a new offer of around £29m for the former Manchester United forward, with the player said to be favouring a move to Inter despite interest from Saudi Arabia.

Chelsea commence their pre-season campaign against League Two side Wrexham in the USA, with all focus on the West Londoners' Premier League opener against Liverpool on August 13.

ID:518306:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5417:

Click here for more stories about Mauricio Pochettino

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku during Croatia game at World Cup on December 1, 2022.
Read Next:
Chelsea 'slap £38m price tag on Romelu Lukaku'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!