The likes of Renato Veiga, Lesley Ugochukwu, Raheem Sterling, João Félix, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja, and Axel Disasi are all reportedly on the chopping block as the club looks to reduce its wage bill and create room for new arrivals.
Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who earns £150,000 a week, is set to join Arsenal, but he may not be the only shot-stopper heading for the exit.
Chelsea are also open to offloading Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez, and could reignite interest in AC Milan’s Mike Maignan after a previous attempt fell through.
The club is especially eager to move on from high earners like Chilwell, Sterling, and Félix, whose combined weekly wages total over £650,000.
Even some regulars from last season may not be safe. Trevoh Chalobah, who impressed after returning from a loan at Crystal Palace, could still be sold.
Similarly, Noni Madueke—despite a solid campaign and international recognition—is not considered untouchable.
Maresca called Madueke one of Chelsea’s “best players”, but according to journalist Simon Phillips, the winger could still be sold in the coming months if a suitable offer arrives.
“Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Malick Fofana of Lyon as they weigh up winger options,” said Phillips, via his Substack.
“I get a sense that they are perhaps putting this name out there to help strengthen negotiations to sign Jamie Gittens of Dortmund. I am sure they do have interest in Fofana, absolutely, and you know what? Maybe they even look to end up bringing in two more out-and-out wingers, and they may well need them depending on the future of Noni Madueke as well, who Chelsea will listen to offers for.”
“Noni has been excellent out there [on the left wing],” said pundit Jason Cundy on talkSPORT.
“The thing I love about Noni is whenever he picks the ball up, he looks that way [forward]. His first instinct with his first touch, ‘How can I get beyond you? How can I get in behind you?’
“What I noticed he did against Liverpool, and he does this very well on the right-hand side, but he will come inside on his right. Most left-footers out there tend not to. Left-footers love it on the right.
“When you’ve got a winger that can go both ways and threaten, as a full-back now you’re asking questions. He does that; Saka’s one of the best, goes out on the right and comes inside. You need to threaten both [ways], Noni has been really good, really impressive.”
