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News
- 22 minutes ago
Ranking Chelsea's current REJECTS - From Jackson to Sterling
Analysis
Chelsea's squad is simply too big at the moment and Enzo Maresca has plenty of players that will not see any minutes this season unless they are sold
The Italian currently has 28 players in their first-team squad, and then a further eight players who are contracted to the club but do not have a number assigned to them.
Whether due to injury, poor form or the never-ending churn of venture capital, many of these players are not in Chelsea's plans for the upcoming season and the club are actively seeking exits for many of them.
Current ETV
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Chelsea
Nicolas Jackson
F (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€58.6M - €71.7M
But who are these rejects? FootballTransfers takes a look and ranks the ten best according to quality.
10. Mykhailo Mudryk
It was seen as such a coup when Chelsea snatched Mykhailo Mudryk away from Arsenal in January 2023 (seemingly just because they could) for an initial fee of $81 million that could rise as high as $116m
Instead, the Ukrainian has been embarrassingly bad from the Blues, so much so that they felt comfortable stripping him of the no. 10 shirt and just giving it to Cole Palmer.
Mudryk is currently suspended (and has been since the start of 2025) for failing a drugs test, although this has yet to be formally announced. His ban could stretch for up to four years, but luckily for him his Chelsea contract runs for another six, so he's covered!
9. Ben Chilwell
Remember when England had Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw fit at the same time? No? Well that's not a surprise both men are consistently wrecked by injuries, which is a damn shame because both have proven to be useful talents when available.
Chilwell is allegedly fit right now after spending the last half season on loan at Crystal Palace, although 255 minutes of action did not give him much chance to get injured. Having barely played at Selhurst Park, Chilwell won't play at Chelsea, but mercifully for the Blues his contract expires in just two years.
8. David Datro Fofana
Not to be confused with Wesley Fofana who is injured but brilliant, David Datro Fofana is fit to play but is perhaps just kinda rubbish. Signed after he scored 22 goals in 39 games for Molde, Fofana has netted seven times in 36 games across three loan spells, suggesting he may never be able to prove his quality at Stamford Bridge or in the Premier League.
7. Alfie Gilchrist
Gilchrist is a young right-back with one of the most outstanding names a Chelsea player could have; 'proper Chels' as the kids would say.
However, he has not proven to be up to the quality of fellow academy graduates such as Lewis Hall or Josh Acheampong and is just sat around after spending last season on loan in the Championship with Sheffield United to little fanfare.
6. Raheem Sterling
It seems like just yesterday Raheem Sterling came off the bench to bag a great assist as Man City won the Premier League title on the last day of the season.
In reality it was three years ago.
Sterling scored 17 times in 47 appearances across all competitions that season. In the three years hence he has scored just 20 goals despite playing 109 times during what should in theory be his physical peak.
Despite being just 30, Sterling looks completely cooked. Washed. Finished. Done.
The only reason he isn't lower on the list is because the potential for a late-career rennaissance is high.
Sterling debuted young and played copious minutes for Liverpool, England and Man City before turning 27. He won titles, scored goals and was kind of a hero.
A few down years for Chelsea and Arsenal (on loan) and we're doubting him? Some smart club that plays a defined system is going to sign him for cents on the dollar from Chelsea and he is going to absolutely wreck shop for them.
5. Tyriqe George
At the other end of the spectrum is 19 year-old Tyrique George. He's a nippy little winger who, for most clubs, would be getting minutes in the first-team as he looked to improve and develop his game, hone his craft.
But this is Chelsea so they've already signed Jamie Gittens to replace him and are also after Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.
From perhaps the most hyped youngster in Chelsea's youthful crop last season to a forgotten talent that is more likely to be used as PSR bait instead of being allowed to fill his potential. Unlucky!
4. Axel Disasi
Axel Disasi is a strong, reliable centre-back with impressive size and ability. Disasi lacks the agility to defend the flanks (so, like, maybe don't play him at full-back against PSG, Unai Emery) but in terms of being a bulwark in his box? He's great, aside from the odd brain malfunction.
Chelsea have decided to move on from him even though their other centre-back options are hardly Baresi and Bobby Moore. But Disasi is here for the right club to get him, e.g. one can imagine him thriving in Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid.
3. Carney Chukwuemeka
Remember when Chelsea signed Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa sort of just because they could? Yeah, that was dumb. He shouldn't have done that.
The Blues didn't have a role for him and has had rotten luck with injuries besides that, so he barely played before a half-decent loan to Dortmund in January.
However, he is still just 21 years old. Get him to a club who can use his dynamism and has a competent enough medical staff to keep players fit? There's an absolute baller here, although it will take another club to unearth his talent.
2. Nicolas Jackson
*Enzo Maresca sashaying up to the microphone on Chelsea karaoke night*
I'm sorry Nic Jackson
OOOOOH!
No starts, for real!
Never meant to make your mother cry, De-lap and Pedro they are my guys!
1. Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku is sensational. What the hell is going on with him at Chelsea?! Is this some kind of sick joke?? Alright we all understand that injuries are a bit rubbish but whenever he's fit how is he not thee no. 10 with Palmer cutting in off the right?
What do you mean Palmer plays 10 and you're using Nkunku off the left or as a false nine? That's stupid! Stop being stupid! What are you doing?!
Chelsea seem determined to let this magnificent footballer, who has four years left on his contract mind you, just sort of drift off into nothingness instead of doing everything they can to try and replicate the game-changing genius they signed from RB Leipzig.
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