Chelsea make glaring transfer message as brutal nine-man list put on notice

Chelsea may still be chasing signings in this summer transfer window, but manager Enzo Maresca has now become ruthless with the players he wants out the door. In a brutal message, the Italian has left nine big-name players off his squad list for the 2025/26 season, sending a clear message to his senior players.

The Blues returned to training on Monday following their Club World Cup win in America. They'll now play friendlies with both Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, before their Premier League opener with Crystal Palace on August 17. However, a number of players have essentially been told they'll play no part in the 2025/26 season if they choose to stay in west London.

Raheem Sterling is the most high-profile star to be axed, following his loan spell at Arsenal last season. The 30-year-old is now in limbo three years after his £47.5million move from Manchester City, having been frozen out since the arrival of the Italian 12 months ago.

Ben Chilwell is also missing from the list. Carney Chukwuemeka is another player to be ousted amid speculation over a return to Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, on loan at Southampton in 2024/25, is another player axed. Defenders Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, and Alfie Gilchrist join him with the trio all now set to depart.

Maresca has also cut two of his forward options. Amando Broja is omitted as he negotiates a move to Burnley, while David Datro Fofana is another name absent after his temporary move to Turkish side Goztepe was cut short by injury.

With the list, the club has issued a blunt warning that under-performing players will not be given time to prove themselves at Stamford Bridge. It also appears to be a message to the likes of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Gittens, who are among the new signings this summer.

Chelsea have already sold seven players in this window. Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, and goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djorde Petrovic have been joined by Bashit Humphries, Mathis Amougou and Marcus Betinelli in departing.