Chelsea transfer news: The Blues are set to let a group of their players go this summer in a mass exodus
Christian Pulisic looks set to leave Chelsea (Image: Warren Little/Getty Images)
Christian Pulisic may have played his last game for Chelsea as the two parties look set to go in different directions this summer. After a two-minute final day appearance at Stamford Bridge against Newcastle, the end of the road is in sight.
It has been a tough year for Pulisic professionally. He was part of a disappointing and disjointed pre-season tour of America with the Blues which was meant to be a landmark moment for player and club under new American ownership heading into a World Cup year for USMNT.
In reality, there was little to cheer and failed transfers away from Stamford Bridge for Pulisic set the ball rolling for yet another year of footballing purgatory. His eight starts in the league is the lowest for a single season since he made his Bundesliga debut aged 16.
The single goal in all competitions is further evidence of a failure to kick-on under several different managers, though he has fallen victim to the consistent changes of head coach throughout his time in London. As several sections of the crowd booed him onto the field on Sunday, it was evident that time was up.
That very much fits with reports that Chelsea are ready to sell their 24-year-old winger after four seasons. Italy is seen as one of his potential destinations. AC Milan showed interest last season whilst Napoli have made their desire to add an American to the squad clear through president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
As for Pulisic himself, there is a willingness to move on from a personal perspective, too. “Chelsea are ready to sell Pulisic as well. It is unclear which clubs want him this summer but Serie A has always been touted as a possibility, Nizaar Kinsella told Milan Reports.
“The US international also seems desperate to leave.”
He is far from the only player in this camp with a host of stars set to be sold or moved on under Mauricio Pochettino in the next window. “Chelsea are open to selling Ruben Loftus-Cheek,” Kinsella added. “He was put on the market late in January but he didn’t want to move then.”
football.london understands that Loftus-Cheek is close to agreeing a deal to join AC Milan, a destination that was almost home to Hakim Ziyech as well. The Cobham graduate was substituted off to a warm farewell ovation from the knowing crowd on Sunday with the 27-year-old waving to the stands and saying his goodbyes on the field.
“At Stamford Bridge on Sunday for the final match at home to Newcastle, it felt like he was saying goodbye to the supporters,” Kinsella continued. “There has been contact with Milan, I’m not sure on the valuation but I don’t think it is high. The main problem are his wages. He is on a big salary in west London, earning £150,000-a-week. Also, England is no longer in the EU so he is a non-EU player”
Loftus-Cheek is valued at £21.7m ($26.8m) and has a career high of £26m ($32.1m) according to Transfermarkt. He has spent two years away from the club on loans with Crystal Palace and Fulham. His first team debut came in 2015 and he scored 13 times with 18 assists across 155 matches at his boyhood club.
Soucre: football.london
