Chelsea are clearly looking to repair all the poor business they’ve done in prior windows, aiming to sell high-earners that don’t justify their wages and players who don’t suit the current direction they are trying to take the club.
With Enzo Maresca looking to play a possession-based style, wanting to control matches, pin teams back and take the ascendancy, certain players are more suited than others.
Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling are two players who are out of the project but will return from their respective loans in the summer.
This will leave the Blues attempting to find new clubs for both of them, getting rid of their high wages in the process.
What the future holds for Sterling & Chilwell
Having barely kicked a ball under Maresca, Chilwell moved to Crystal Palace on loan in the January transfer window, but he sadly hasn’t made much of an impact so far, playing in just seven games across 243 minutes.
So, what’s next for the left-back? Well, it seems unlikely that Palace will snap him up permanently, meaning that the Blues will need to find alternative ways of ditching his sizeable £200k a week salary, a total that makes him the club’s third-highest earner.
As for Sterling, a permanent move across London is also unlikely. He moved to Arsenal in the summer on transfer deadline day, promising that Gunners supporters would “see the best of me” but it just hasn’t happened for him in red.
Indeed, the winger has made 24 appearances for the Gunners, scoring one goal, providing five assists and totaling 999 minutes played. He even missed a penalty in the Champions League, a moment that summed up his time at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea’s highest earner, taking home £325k-per-week, he will need to find a new club with a luxury of wingers at Maresca’s disposal.
Speaking of which, he’s not the only one who should be on his way out of the Bridge in the summer.
Chelsea's next Sterling needs to go
In the blue of Chelsea, Sterling played 81 games but it’s unlikely he’ll add to that tally having scored on just 19 occasions in that time frame.
A player with a fine reputation, he’s quite frankly been shocking over the last few years. Now, Chelsea may have found the next Sterling.
That player happens to be the much-maligned Christopher Nkunku. Signed from RB Leipzig in 2023 for a fee of around £52m, it hasn’t been a great time for the Frenchman in London.
It’s perhaps a surprise, particularly considering the France international netted 23 goals and provided nine assists in 36 appearances for the German club in the 2022/23 campaign.
However, since arriving at Chelsea, Nkunku has made 53 appearances, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists in 2,372 minutes played.
Whilst his goal-scoring record isn’t too bad, it is important to factor in that many of his starts have come in cup competitions, starting upfront in the UEFA Conference League this season, and often playing in the early stages of the EFL and FA Cup.
Goals
0.61
0.33
Assists
0.23
0.26
xG
0.47
0.30
xAG
0.20
0.20
Progressive Carries
1.67
5.45
Progressive Passes
2.45
3.55
Shots Total
2.68
2.29
Key Passes
1.27
1.36
Shot-Creating Actions
3.24
3.86
Successful Take-Ons
0.98
2.05
When comparing the underlying metrics of Nkunku this season and Sterling last season, you can see both players had some decent numbers in certain areas, both still scoring goals, contributing to the build up and creating for their teammates.
However, it is their work rate that continues to disappoint, both being brandished as lazy by many a fan during their time at the club.
He’s also attracted criticism from the media, ex-Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley labeled Nkunku a “total waste of money” when speaking on ESPN. The forward has had plenty of chances this season, especially in the absence of Chelsea stars such as Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, but he has failed to show anything worthy of earning himself a starting spot.
With Nkunku on high wages and still a fairly highly regarded player despite his poor form, it would be a wise move for the Blues to cash in on the attacker this summer, getting some money back on their investment and allowing Nkunku to perhaps join another club he fits slightly better.
A better signing than Gittens: Chelsea enter race to land £150m winger
Chelsea are looking to improve their attack.
ByConnor Holden
