is planning a mass summer clear-out which could see as many as eight players sold in an effort to trim his bloated first team squad.
’s ambitious recruitment drive, instigated by the club’s new owner , has left Potter with some of the most talented young players in Europe, but the job fostering a team spirit has been rendered almost impossible.
while even the impending return of N’Golo Kante brings with it several selection headaches.
The former Brighton boss wants to work with a maximum of 25 players next season and, according to the , that could spell bad new for the likes of academy graduates Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Christian Pulisic is likely to be made available, while Hakim Ziyech, who was on the cusp of joining Paris Saint-Germain on January deadline day, also surplus to requirements.
Chelsea also risk losing influential midfielder Mateo Kovacic who will have just one year remaining on his contract come the summer.
Talks over a new deal haven’t progressed and Manchester City are interested in the 28-year-old given they are set to lose club captain Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona.
Bayern Munich, too, are monitoring Kovacic’s situation with Thomas Tuchel planning on raiding Chelsea for a second time since his return to management after launching a bid to be reunited with coach Anthony Barry.
Mason Mount, too, represents another stalwart of the Tuchel era who Chelsea are struggling to tie down to a long-term contract.
And with the likes of Liverpool showing interest in the England international, Potter could be minded to allow the 24-year-old the opportunity to leave his boyhood club.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are likely to recruit a new goalkeeper in the close season with Porto’s Diogo Costa and Chelsea’s David Raya firmly on their radar.
With American youngster Gabriel Slonina highly rated by the club’s coaching staff, Edouard Mendy’s days also look numbered with the Senegal international have already rejected two contract offers.
A new striker is likely to be a priority, meanwhile, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen the No.1 target to replace Aubameyang who has struggled for game time under Potter.
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