How Chelsea must overhaul squad: Who Blues should keep, sell and might be stuck with | OneFootball

Chelsea need to upgrade their squad if they want to become serious title contenders

It promises to be another busy year for Chelsea in the transfer market as they seek to upgrade their squad and become serious title contenders under Enzo Maresca.

The Blues are having a good season but their recent drop-off in form has shown they must strengthen in key areas.

Here, Standard Sport assesses who they should keep, sell and might be stuck with in January.

Goalkeepers

Robert Sanchez

Some dreadful moments during the first-half of the season, but one or two good ones as well, most notably away to Bournemouth. Decent performances in the last few weeks, coupled with the fact that the Blues have dropped off the title pace, means an upgrade in January may not be as urgent a priority as it looked a month ago. Has manager’s public backing but will surely be upgraded upon in the summer. KEEP - for now

Filip Jorgensen

Has taken most opportunities that have come his way with some excellent performances in the Conference League. A good No2 with potential to kick on. KEEP

Marcus Bettinelli

Veteran No3 has not played a minute yet this season. KEEP

Lucas Bergstrom

Spent the second half of last season on loan in Sweden and youngster could do with a move again, possibly to a lower league English side. LOAN

Defenders

Tosin Adarabioyo

Summer signing has had to bide his time, but has impressed alongside Levi Colwill in recent weeks and free transfer looks an increasingly smart bit of business. KEEP.

Levi Colwill

Emerging as a real leader under Maresca and looks primed for a role in Thomas Tuchel’s England set-up in the New Year. KEEP

Wesley Fofana

Frenchman was enjoying a fine run alongside Colwill until injury struck, but that was perhaps to be expected after so many serious problems in recent seasons. Will hopefully get a clear run at it in the second half of the season. KEEP

Axel Disasi

The least convincing of Chelsea’s five senior centre-backs, though versatility and dreadful Ipswich display showed why he cannot be relied upon at right-back. Looked an obvious candidate to move on next month but injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile have surely made that unlikely. A RELUCTANT KEEP

Axel Disasi cannot be relied upon at right-back

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Benoit Badiashile

Was surprisingly Maresca’s first-choice reserve ahead of Tosin when Fofana went down but was looking increasingly accomplished when his own injury struck. KEEP

Reece James

Just four appearances in the first-half of the season amid yet more hamstring problems. Club captain was also called out by Maresca over lack of leadership. Back on the bench against Ipswich on Monday and all parties will be desperate for this latest comeback to stick. If it does not, a big decision may loom in the summer. KEEP

Malo Gusto

Has thrived in adventurous roles, sometimes deployed as a full-back-No10 in Maresca’s system, and ensured James has not been a huge miss. Ability to play on both flanks is handy, too. KEEP

Marc Cucurella

Has had a predictably eventful first half of the season but for all the theatre and occasional petulance, remains a reliable cog who has kept up his Euro 2024 form. KEEP

Josh Acheampong

For a long while it seemed Chelsea might have to cash-in next month, but contract standoff ended and he is back in the fold. Maresca has already ruled out a loan exit for the youngster. KEEP

Josh Acheampong is back in the fold after signing a new contract

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Ben Chilwell

Was due to leave in the summer but no buyer could be found. Reintegrated into first-team squad, but only appearances came against Barrow in the Carabao Cup. SELL

Renato Veiga

Maybe the least-heralded of all Chelsea’s summer signings, but has looked an astute pick-up, able to play in midfield and across defence. Dropping for “technical reasons” against Fulham was a surprise blip. KEEP

Midfielders

Moises Caicedo

Beyond Cole Palmer, probably Chelsea’s player of the season so far. Has been back to his Brighton best. KEEP

Romeo Lavia

After false-start of injury-hit debut campaign, young Belgian has become a key player this term. Fitness problems remain a concern, though, and has been missed over Christmas period. KEEP

Enzo Fernandez

Season began under a cloud amid summer racism storm and performances on the pitch initially did little to shift the narrative. Has been superb since being brought into more advanced role in last two months, though, and is now enjoying best spell in a Chelsea shirt. KEEP

Cesare Casadei

Has done okay in Europe, but yet to make an appearance in the league. Was recalled from a loan spell this time last year and could perhaps do with being sent on another next month, particularly if Maresca plans to ease up on rotation in Conference League knockout rounds. LOAN

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Strange lack of impact given he was the one player brought in from Maresca’s previous club. Has been linked with an immediate loan return to Leicester but it would be a shame to leave so soon. Currently sidelined with injury, which may make the decision anyway. KEEP

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been linked with a January move away

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Carney Chukwuemeka

Only start came in freezing conditions in Kazakhstan and was recently name-checked by Maresca as, along with Chilwell, one of those most likely to leave. SELL

Omari Kellyman

Yet to make an appearance since signing from Aston Villa, having been hampered by injury. KEEP

Forwards

Cole Palmer

Not quite the one-man band of last season, but still by some margin Chelsea’s best and most important player. Broke the club’s Premier League record for most goals in a calendar year last week. KEEP, OBVIOUSLY

Pedro Neto

A bit of a slow burner following marquee summer move from Wolves, but has now emerged as clear first-choice and is enjoying a run on his preferred right flank. Needs to up the numbers but heading in the right direction. KEEP

Mykhailo Mudryk

Might’ve been a genuine question over his future next month but failed doping test has paused his career while club wait for results of ‘B’ sample. KEEP - there’s no choice at the moment

Christopher Nkunku

A strange case. The club’s joint-top-scorer on 12 goals but unable to break into the Premier League side and there have been reports he is considering his future. Chelsea want to keep him but Maresca has suggested he will not stand in any player’s way if they ask to go. KEEP, until at least the summer

Christopher Nkunku has been unable to break into the Premier League side

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Noni Madueke

Made an excellent start to the season with hat-trick at Wolves and some impressive England performances through the autumn. There has clearly been a drop-off, though, and Maresca has questioned his attitude and application more than once. Verdict: KEEP - but has work to do to convince the manager

Joao Felix

Has been a useful squad player, but no more than that. Unable to take European form into the Premier League in rare opportunities. Not going anywhere yet, though, given the outlay and could yet have a significant part to play should anything happen to Palmer. KEEP

Tyrique George

Youngster who has been promoted to Maresca’s first-team squad this season and looked lively in European cameos. Minutes may be harder to come by after Christmas, but manager has already said he wants winger learning in training every day, rather than out on loan. KEEP

Jadon Sancho

His season so far can be split into three parts: a promising start, a strange period out of action, and then a second wind. Currently first-choice on the left and his career is in a far better place than six months ago. KEEP

Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea’s most improved player has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, even if the goals have just dried up a touch over the last month. KEEP

Marc Guiu

Teenage striker has grown into the campaign, finishing the Conference League group stage with a flurry of goals to sit as that competition’s top scorer. Hard to see how he plays regularly now, though, and a loan might suit amid interest in Spain. LOAN