Chelsea news: The Blues have changed their squad list online to represent the newest players in the group and it has contrasting meaning for several pre-season hopefuls.
Chelsea have dropped some hints over their squad for the new season. (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea have hinted at potential transfer and squad decisions for three of their players this summer as Mauricio Pochettino is tasked with cutting down his group even further.
Despite the departures of 10 first team players from last season there is still an overflow of talent on the cards as returning loanees make up the numbers at Cobham for training. There are still a cohort yet to return ahead of the tour of America as well and yet more sales are expected to follow.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech and Romelu Lukaku have all been granted extra time to find a move away from the club whilst Callum Hudson-Odoi is also set to leave. Ethan Ampadu and Malang Sarr are also players in the senior squad that have no future at Stamford Bridge and will seek moves themselves.
With the addition of Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos, Levi Colwill, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson to the group, a youthful undertone has been set. They are all confirmed members of the first team squad ahead of the new season even with questions remaining over Santos and where he will play his football in the short-term.
Colwill is another that has speculation around him but if Chelsea are to keep him at the club they will need to make him more than just a first team player, regardless. There are more uncertainties in other areas of the squad with Ian Maatsen training with Pochettino’s side but being listed as a development squad player on the club’s site.
He has interest ahead of a potential transfer this summer but will be given the chance to shine in America first. There are though, a group of other players alongside him in development squad list that may well have ambitions of breaking through under Pochettino.
Cesare Casadei signed for £15million from Inter last summer but was part of the academy set-up for half the season before heading out to Reading on loan. He now has the task of proving himself capable of holding down a spot whilst interested clubs including Leicester hunt for a chance to get him on a 12-month deal.
His position away from the senior group online may well be a hint at what is to follow with Tino Anjorin another considered available to loan being put into the senior category. Lewis Hall actually appears in both but is now a first team regular after impressing so much last season.
He is also amongst the midfield sections of the team, perhaps indicating that the Blues see him as being more of an option for that role rather than in defence, where he played last season. Hall has been a midfielder by trade throughout his youth career but is able to play both positions well.
An exciting addition that has gone under the radar is Diego Moreira. The young attacker was confirmed on a free transfer from Benfica earlier this window and has been placed into the senior section straight away. He is yet another that will be given a chance to prove himself ahead of a decision being made as to where he will be next season.
Relatively unknown, Moreira has carried out some in-house media duties to allow fans to get to know him and has described his game in exciting style. “I’m fast, like to dribble, serve assists, more goals also. Help the team to defend because I don’t like to lose, winning all games if I can,” he said.
As part of a heavy push towards bringing in young stars for the future, Moreira also admitted he idolised Eden Hazard and Didier Drogba, always a good sign for new signings at Chelsea.
Now, if he can harness any of the duo’s talent in his early days at Cobham there will be little issue with him impressing Pochettino and living up to the bill of an immediate first team player. For now, Chelsea have set their stall out on Maatsen, Moreira and Casadei and it is over to them to prove their worthiness in the squad.
Soucre: football.london
