The Blues are in danger of breaching financial rules and could be forced into trimming their bloated squad during the next transfer window.
It seems that Chelsea's reckless spending may finally be catching up with them.
Earlier this week it was revealed that the club had made an eye-watering loss of £121 million ($149m) during the 2021-22 financial period – a deficit the current ownership has blamed on the economic sanctions imposed on the club and former owner Roman Abramovich following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In light of this news, you might have expected Todd Boehly & Co. to cut their cloth accordingly for 2022-23. They thought differently, though, splashing an obscene £600m over the past two transfer windows.
Even with some creative accounting, Chelsea will surely have to move on some players in the summer to avoid punishment from the footballing authorities.
Fortunately for them, there are plenty of candidates for the chopping block. Below, GOAL takes a look at 13 players who could be sold at the end of the season.
Getty ImagesEthan Ampadu
One of the most committed members of Chelsea's loan army, Ethan Ampadu has spent the past four seasons away from Stamford Bridge.
Starting out on loan at RB Leipzig during the 2019-20 campaign, the prestige of the teams Ampadu has been on loan at has steadily decreased since then: Sheffield United, Venezia and now Spezia.
With just one year left on his Chelsea contract, it's time for the Wales international – who has made more appearances for his country than any other single club – to find a new, permanent home.
AdvertisementGetty Images.Baba Rahman
Yes, you have read that correctly – Abdul-Rahman Baba is still under contract in west London.
The left-back joined the club all the way back in 2015 and has spent time on loan in Germany, France, Spain and Greece since.
In recent seasons he's been with Championship side Reading, where he is a regular starter when fit. He's not going to fetch much of a transfer fee, but hopefully the Royals can be convinced to finally rid Chelsea of one of their longest-serving players this summer.
AS MonacoMalang Sarr
Malang Sarr always seemed like a strange signing. After arriving in the summer of 2020, he was immediately shipped out on loan and, despite enjoying a short stint in the first team during an injury crisis, he's never really fully convinced at Chelsea.
Sarr is currently at Monaco, and it is believed that the Ligue 1 side have the option to make the switch permanent for around £10 million ($12m) this summer.
Should they not exercise that option, he should still have suitors. Several other French clubs would be interested, while Sevilla were linked in January.
GettyTiemoue Bakayoko
Again, please do not adjust your screens, Tiemoue Bakayoko is indeed still a Chelsea player. After playing a vital role in the Monaco team that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2017, Bakayoko was one of several members of that squad to earn a big-money move elsewhere.
He flopped badly in England, though, and has since been out on loan. AC Milan have an option to make his move permanent this summer, but that is unlikely given his underwhelming performances at San Siro.
His wages will be a stumbling block for any other interested parties and Bakayoko may be content to sit out the remaining year of his contract. Chelsea, of course, will be desperate to move him on.