There is now just over a week until the new Premier League season starts with Chelsea among the clubs looking to get some deals over the line before the first ball is kicked.
The Blues start their campaign on Sunday, 17 August when they host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge (2pm kick-off). That game could see some competitive debuts for players.
Chelsea have been active in the transfer window so far, bringing eight new players to the club.
Kendry Paez has since joined Strasbourg on loan, but fellow new arrivals Dario Essugo, Estevao, Liam Delap, Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro could all be in the squad for the opening game.
It seems that Chelsea are not done there in the transfer window. Talks are continuing with RB Leipzig over a move for forward Xavi Simons , football.london understands.
The Blues have also entered talks with Manchester United for winger Alejandro Garnacho. Some reports suggest that personal terms are already agreed with the player.
In a dream scenario the club will get both deals done and the players through the door in time for them to be included in the squad against Palace.
The size of Chelsea’s squad means that there will have to be some omissions from the 25-man squad, let alone the 16-man matchday squad, meaning that Enzo Maresca has decisions to make with some members of the squad left watching from the stands or even from home.
First, with the squad numbers now released, the fact that Ben Chilwell, Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Renato Viega and Axel Disasi have not been given squad numbers means they are easy omissions from the 25-man squad for the first game of the season.
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There are still, however, more to omissions to be made. The blow of Levi Colwill’s ACL injury during pre-season, means that the defender will not be included in the squad.
Chelsea have been given a boost though with fellow defender Wesley Fofana back in training. The first game could come too soon for the Frenchman, but in a dream scenario, he’ll be fit enough to at least make the squad.
Carney Chukwuemeka and Armando Broja have been heavily linked with moves away, meaning that they’re not likely to be names in the list. There has also been talk of Christopher Nkunku leaving the club this summer.
Youngster Tyrique Geroge has been linked with a loan move away in search of more regular minutes. He therefore may be another omission from the squad against Palace.
Dream 25 man squad:
Goalkeepers : Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Gabriel Slonina
Defenders : Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, Jorrel Hato, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Josh Acheampong
Midfielders : Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos, Cole Palmer
Forwards : Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Estevao, Pedro Neto, Xavi Simons, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap
