8 Chelsea Stars Heading for the Exit Door Including Edouard Mendy

• Chelsea are set for a summer clearout to reduce their bloated squad
• Mauricio Pochettino is an announcement away from being the new head coach
• Champions League-winning goalkeeper Édouard Mendy will lead an exodus of stars departing the club

Chelsea have the largest squad in the Premier League with over 30 first-team stars, after two windows which saw them splash over £600 million on new players with no significant outgoings.

The bloated squad posed a major problem for Graham Potter as it disrupted tactical preparations and had the dressing room extended.

Mauricio Pochettino is set to be announced as the next permanent manager and will spearhead the exodus. Sports Brief looks at eight players who will be heading for the exit door.

1. Ruben Loftus-Cheek

The academy graduate is set to depart the club this summer. He appeared to be on the rise in the 2018/19 season before an Achilles tendon injury disrupted his career. According to 90min, AC Milan are in advanced talks to sign him.

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2. Mateo Kovacic

The Croatian came into Chelsea through a backdoor in the 2019/20 season despite the transfer ban having been on loan a season prior. According to ESPN, Manchester City have held talks over a possible move.

3. Edouard Mendy

After three years, the Senegalese will leave the club at the end of the season. He helped the club win three trophies but rejected a contract offer last summer. According to The Sun, Tottenham wants him to replace Hugo Lloris.

4. Hakim Ziyech

The Moroccan attacker had a move to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed on the January transfer deadline day after Chelsea sent the wrong documents. He is certain to find a new adventure in the summer after three years in London.

5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

There is no doubt over the departure of the 33-year-old striker. He is eyeing a move to former club, Barcelona, who included him in their La Liga-winning squad despite playing eight minutes.

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6. Christian Pulisic

The LeBron James of soccer has failed to cut it at Stamford Bridge. His time at the club has been hampered by injuries and inconsistencies and with the right offer in the summer, he will exit the club.

7. Trevoh Chalobah

The academy graduate made his debut in the UEFA Super Cup final against Villarreal. The influx of signings in defence will see him leave this summer with Serie A clubs interested.

8. Cesar Azpilicueta

The Blues captain’s time is coming to an end at the end of this season. The arrival of Malo Gusto to provide competition for Reece James means he has no place in the squad next season.

Other names on the list of possible departures include Mason Mount, Kalidou Koulibaly, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Conor Gallagher, Marc Cucurella and Raheem Sterling.

Priority positions Pochettino must address

Sports Brief listed four priority positions Pochettino must address as new Chelsea boss in his first transfer window.

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A mass exodus is planned, also a few incomings need to be added for a balanced squad. He has to resolve the goalkeeping conundrum in his first days.

The defensive midfielder role needs a signing, the attacking midfield needs a decision while the striker needs a decision or a signing depending on Romelu Lukaku.