Chelsea are preparing for another massive summer of transfer activity, with up to 23 players reportedly on the chopping block as the club plans a major overhaul. Enzo Maresca’s side currently sit sixth in the Premier League and are just a point behind Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification.

Thanks to the strong performances of Premier League sides in European competition this season, England has secured five places in next year’s Champions League. That gives Chelsea a genuine shot at returning to Europe’s elite competition, especially with their form improving under Maresca. The Blues are also one of the favourites to win the UEFA Conference League this season, which would be their first European trophy since 2021. On top of that, they’ll take part in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer alongside Manchester City – another sign of how busy the calendar is becoming for the west London side.

Since Todd Boehly and BlueCo took over in 2022, Chelsea have become known for their constant squad turnover, with transfer windows becoming chaotic affairs full of high-profile ins and outs. Last summer alone saw 11 new faces arrive either permanently or on loan, while 25 first-team players left the club. This summer is shaping up to be just as hectic, if not more so.

Reports from Spain suggest the Blues could part ways with as many as 23 players in a bid to raise €500m (£427m) through sales. The aim is clear: boost funds to make fresh signings and reshape the squad in Maresca’s image. Among those who could be sacrificed are some surprising names. Wesley Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, and even Jadon Sancho – whose loan from Manchester United includes a purchase clause – are reportedly on the list of potential exits. Chelsea have the option to make Sancho’s move permanent, but they can also pay United a £5m compensation fee to send him back to Old Trafford instead.

The futures of other big-money signings like Christopher Nkunku, Robert Sanchez, Noni Madueke, and Marc Guiu are also in question, despite some of them only joining the club in the last year. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who arrived from Leicester last summer, is another player whose role may be under review. Reece James, club captain and academy graduate, is also named among those with uncertain futures – a move that would undoubtedly spark debate among the fanbase.

Chelsea are also expected to offload several players currently out on loan. Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Andrey Santos, Joao Felix, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Carney Chukwuemeka could all be sold to raise funds. The list goes on with Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mike Penders, Deivid Washington, Caleb Wiley, Alfie Gilchrist and Bashir Humphreys all reportedly being considered for exits.

If Chelsea are able to generate the full €500m from these sales, it would give the club serious firepower in the transfer market once again. Whether they’ll use that cash more wisely than in previous windows remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that Maresca is being backed to reshape this squad dramatically. The big question now is who survives the cull – and what this new-look Chelsea will actually look like when the dust settles.