With a new head coach in the dugout, a host of players potentially coming and going and an awful lot of improvement required after last season, a pivotal summer lies ahead for Chelsea. Under the leadership of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, the Blues limped to 12th position in the Premier League and a quarterfinal Champions League exit. At least that means the only way is up for Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain head coach who has been handed the reins at Stamford Bridge.
This could be as turbulent a few weeks among the playing staff as last season was for their coaching equivalents with moves as they continue to purge the squad. Let's recap some of the biggest rumors and updates from our CBS Sports insiders and experts:
Golazo Starting XI Newsletter
Get your Soccer Fix from Around the Globe
Your ultimate guide to the Beautiful Game as our experts take you beyond the pitch and around the globe with news that matters.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
Chelsea sign Robert Sanchez
August 5 -- Chelsea have completed the transfer of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton. The Spain international, who has made 87 Premier League appearances, has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will soon join up with the first-team squad at Cobham.
Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart said: "We're very pleased to welcome Robert to Chelsea and he adds further quality to our goalkeeping unit. Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country. We are excited to watch him work with Mauricio and his coaching team during the season ahead."
Disasi adds defensive depth
August 4: The fifth major signing of the summer is in the bag at Stamford Bridge, where Axel Disasi has arrived in a £38.6 million deal from Monaco. The 25 year old has agreed to the customarily lengthy contract at Chelsea, where he is signed up until 2029, and will plug the gap in the defense left by Wesley Fofana, who has undergone knee surgery that will prompt doubts as to what role, if any, he could play next season. Disasi can also fill in at right back while his arrival is expected to facilitate the departure of Trevoh Chalobah.
"I'm a defender who likes to properly look for the ball and win it back," Disasi said. "The best way of anticipating the opposition player's move is by being in the best position possible. I like to have the ball at my feet and play passes. I like interceptions, and I like to be aggressive with the opposition, to use my physicality."
Disasi made his French international debut at the World Cup, winning the first of four caps. "Axel has showcased his quality over several seasons in France and that has deservedly led to recognition on the international stage," said co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. "He is ready to take the next step in his career and we are delighted that will be with Chelsea. We welcome him to the club and look forward to him joining up with Mauricio Pochettino and his new teammates in the days ahead."
Pochettino gets his new goalkeeper
August 3: With Edouard Mendy having departed for Saudi Arabia, Pochettino has been in need of a goalkeeper to rival Kepa Arrizabalaga. It would appear he has that in Robert Sanchez, deposed as Brighton's first choice last season, with Chelsea set to sign the Spaniard in a £25 million deal. The 25-year-old had looked to be one of the Premier League's more promising young goalkeepers before last season when his shot-stopping faltered and Jason Steele's ball-playing ability saw him usurp Sanchez.
New deal for Colwill
August 2: For all the many deals Chelsea have been involved in this summer, there will be few with the long-term significance of the six year contract with an option for a further 12 months that has been signed by Levi Colwill. The 20 year old excelled on loan at Brighton last season and Pochettino is already talking about him as a potential starter on the opening day of the season.
Colwill had been linked with a move to Liverpool or a return to Brighton but, according to the man himself, there was only ever one option he entertained. "It's always been an easy decision," said Colwill, who began his summer winning the Under-21 European Championships with England. "As I've grown up, all I've known is Chelsea. I've spoken with the manager and he's given me reassurance, that trust I needed. He's spoken with me not just as a player but a person. It's made a big difference."
Aubameyang bound for Marseille
July 19: The trimming of Chelsea's wage bill continues apace with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to join French side Marseille. The 34 year old is expected to sign a three-year contract at the Stade Velodrome and while he will likely take a pay cut on his Stamford Bridge salary, he will surely be relieved to end a disastrous time in west London, where he made only 21 appearances after joining for €12 million. The writing was on the wall for Aubameyang within days of his arrival from Barcelona when Thomas Tuchel, the man who had pushed for his signature, was sacked. Under Graham Potter, the former Arsenal striker was dropped from the Champions League squad and played just 131 minutes after the World Cup.
Chelsea are not expected to receive a transfer fee for Aubameyang, who had been a target for Saudi Arabian clubs. Ultimately getting his £160,000-a-week salary off their books would be success enough for the club.
Pulisic moves on
July 13: Four inconsistent years after arriving in west London, U.S. international Christian Pulisic has departed for AC Milan. The US international has signed a four year contract at the San Siro, where he will wear the No.11 shirt. He departs Chelsea a European and world champion yet a player whose exit ultimately rustled up little more than a few shrugs from the Blues fanbase.
Where the 24-year-old fits in at Milan might be the most fascinating question. It is almost certainly not on the left flank where he was most often viewed as an option at Chelsea, that belongs to Rafael Leao. It has been suggested that the number 10 position or a role off the right might suit Pulisic, though there will still be plenty of competition in those spots too.
Fofana joins Union Berlin
July 11: David Fofana, the much-heralded young forward who joined Chelsea in January, will spend next season on loan at Union Berlin, who do not have an option to purchase him. The 20-year-old was bought in from Molde earlier this year with a view to the long term; such were Chelsea's troubles up front he made four appearances for the Blues without scoring. Joining U.S. international Brenden Aaronson in the German capital, Fofana will have a chance to test himself in the Champions League.
"Union have developed extremely strongly in the last few years and it excites me a lot to be a part of this in the coming season," he said. "The club has made a long and hard effort to find me and now I want to repay that with good performances."
A legend leaves
July 6: In 11 years at Stamford Bridge, Cesar Azpilicueta quite literally won it all. Club captain since 2019, he hoisted the Champions League, Club World Cup, Premier League, Europa League and both domestic cups in a glittering career that sees him depart a beloved figure in west London. In a glowing tribute his now former club described him as "forever a Chelsea legend."
Azpilicueta departs on a free transfer a year before his contract expires and will don an Atletico Madrid shirt next season. "Every single day that I got to wear the No. 28 shirt on my back and it is the honor of my life to be a part of this club's history," he wrote in a lengthy farewell message to Chelsea supporters. "I am forever indebted to [the fans], you have taught me what it means to be a Blue. From now on, I will be cheering you all from afar, but my love for this club will never change."
Azpilicueta's exit means only three of the starting XI from Chelsea's Champions League triumph just two years ago will still be at the club next season. With Christian Pulisic bound for the exit, all three substitutes will also be goners along with former head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Mount moves on
July 5: Eighteen years after joining the club, Mount is a Chelsea player no more. The 24 year old has joined Manchester United in a deal that will net his former an initial £55 million with a further £5 million in possible add ons. Mount departs having made 195 appearances for the Blues with 33 goals to his name as well as a Champions League and Club World Cup crown.
"Given the speculation over the last six months, this may not come as a surprise to you," said Mount in a farewell message published before his move to Manchester was officially announced, "but it doesn't make it any easier to tell you that I've made the decision to leave Chelsea. I feel you deserve more than just a written statement. So I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I've been for all of your support over the last 18 years. I know some of you won't be happy with my decision, but it's what's right for me at this moment in my career."
Chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano said: "Mason is a consummate professional and a popular figure at the club. We want to thank him for all his efforts on and off the pitch throughout his time at Chelsea."
Hakim Ziyech Al Nassr move on verge of collapse
June 30: Hakim Ziyech will undergo further medical tests in Madrid on Friday in a bid to revive his faltering move to Al Nassr. Initial tests on the playmaker, who was due to depart Chelsea in an €8 million deal, delivered concerning results on the status of his hip and knee and sources have told CBS Sports that the deal is likely to collapse.
However further examinations offer some hope for Ziyech. Even if they were to offer a more optimistic picture Al Nassr would look to renegotiate terms for the 30 year old, lowering his base salary and include fitness related clauses.
Should Al Nassr pull out of the Ziyech deal their focus would switch to Bernardo Silva, according to CBS Sports sources. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) are working to secure the Manchester City star, who had been earmarked for Al Nassr's rivals Al Hilal. Were PIF to secure his services it would then be up to Bernardo which of the Riyadh rivals he would like to turn out for. Al Nassr, however, feel they have a potential trump card in the presence of Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo on their roster.
Kovacic departs
June 27: Chelsea's first big sale of the window has been concluded with Mateo Kovacic signing a four year contract at Manchester City, joining for a £25 million fee with a potential £5 million in further add ons. For Chelsea that constitutes a reasonable return for a 29 year old heading into the final year of his contract, having shown little indication he would be prepared to extend, potentially for less money, under the new regime at Stamford Bridge.
Saudi Arabian exodus
June 21: Perhaps even more important than adding to the squad this summer is trimming back a group that was so swollen last season that the Cobham training ground dressing rooms were not big enough to accommodate every first team player. In their attempts to do so Chelsea faced the same challenge that all of the Premier League's wealthiest teams do, the sheer paucity of clubs who can match the wages they pay their fringe players.
That was until help came from Saudi Arabia, with at least four top earners expected to depart for the Pro League this summer. Chelsea might have liked to keep N'Golo Kante but they could not match the €50 million a year Al Ittihad have offered. The move was made official on Tuesday by both clubs. Also Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy will all move to Saudi Arabia The players will move to respectively to Al Hilal and Al Ahli. Koulibaly will join Al-Hilal for around €20 million.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also make the move to Saudi, while Romelu Lukaku has reportedly refused the possibility to move to Saudi Arabia as of now. In total that could scrub nearly £1 million a week off the Chelsea wage bill, handing breathing room and further funds to invest in new signings. -- Franceso Porzio and James Benge
Nkunku arrives
June 20: The first new signing of the Pochettino era has been made... and it is one that Chelsea had lined up all the way back when Tuchel was in charge. Christopher Nkunku's arrival was a formality soon after the summer transfer window closed in 2022, with the club hierarchy committing to a fee greater than his £60 million release clause to get their man out of RB Leipzig before his many other suitors could get a deal together.
"I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea," said Nkunku, who had been at PSG before joining RB Leipzig. "A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch. Having played in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, I now want to play in the Premier League, one of the strongest leagues in the world. I am very excited for this challenge and will be proud to wear the Chelsea shirt."
Nkunku should help with the greatest issue facing a Chelsea side who scored 38 goals in 38 Premier League games last season, in his last two Bundesliga campaigns he scored 36 whilst adding a further 21 assists. He is not, however, the center forward that the Blues need -- Nicolas Jackson of Villarreal could be -- but the sort of inside left attacker who plays best with someone else leading the line that Pochettino already has a lot of. How he can be fit alongside Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk (assuming Pulisic and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang depart) will be an early challenge for the Argentine to puzzle out.
Midfield reinforcements wanted
June 20: It is not all about sales. The potential departures of Kante, Kovacic and Mount, six months after Jorginho left, mean that Pochettino will need new bodies in midfield. Chelsea had wanted Manuel Ugarte but were beaten to his services by PSG and are now targeting Caicedo. The London Evening Standard reports that the Blues have had a £60 million offer rejected with Brighton holding out for £100 million. In addition Chelsea are one of several clubs keen on Southampton's Romeo Lavia, also wanted by Arsenal,
