Storming their way to Club World Cup success on Sunday night as they claimed an iconic 3-0 romp against reigning European champions PSG, Chelsea certainly sprung what was a heavyweight upset in New Jersey.
Crowned Europa Conference League champions back in May and embarking on what has been a sensational summer adventure, Enzo Maresca’s men suddenly have plenty of expectations on their shoulders ahead of the 2025/26 campaign getting underway next month.
With many already billing them as a legitimate threat to defending Premier League champions Liverpool, the Blues have also been heavily active during the summer transfer window.
However, while new recruit Joao Pedro might have made a remarkable immediate impact since completing a permanent switch from Brighton earlier in the month, it appears that Maresca is now focused on trimming his squad.
With England international Noni Madueke set to complete a permanent switch across London to Arsenal this month, we have taken a look at some of the other Chelsea superstars who could be pushed out of the Stamford Bridge exit.
Nicolas Jackson
While Nicolas Jackson might have only signed a new two-year contract extension with Chelsea last year and now sits on a deal that remarkably runs all the way until 2033, it appears that the Senegal international will be on his way out of west London.
Despite finding the net in Chelsea’s 4-1 Europa Conference League final win against Real Betis on May 28th, the former Villarreal marksman recorded just a single domestic strike since the middle of December.
Watching Liam Delap complete a £30million move from Ipswich last month and with Pedro making a sensational immediate impact over in the United States, Jackson has quickly come tumbling down Maresca’s striking pecking order.
Left as an unused substitute against PSG on Sunday night and coming under a huge amount of scrutiny after picking up a straight red card against Flamengo on June 20th, the 24-year-old has reportedly accepted that a move away from Stamford Bridge is best.
Although Jackson might have frequently been seen as a figure of ridicule since arriving at Chelsea in the summer of 2023, he does have plenty of heavyweight interest from across Europe’s elite.
🚨🔵 Nicolas Jackson has chances to leave Chelsea this summer.
After Noni Madueke to Arsenal, he could be the next one to try new chapter elsewhere.
AC Milan asked for Jackson but Chelsea asking price is still too high.
Premier League clubs are also keen and informed. 👀 pic.twitter.com/f2hpmUl4Q7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 11, 2025
Christopher Nkunku
Making a late cameo appearance off the bench in New Jersey on Sunday night, few Chelsea fans would have expected Christopher Nkunku to play such a regular role during their Club World Cup adventure.
However, although the former RB Leipzig ace might have featured in each of Chelsea’s final five summer appearances over in the United States, it is still widely expected that the French international will be completing a permanent move away from west London.
Not featuring in any of Chelsea’s final eight appearances across all competitions last season, Nkunku recorded just a trio of Premier League strikes and has drastically failed to find his feet at Stamford Bridge.
Despite enjoying a shock summer boost, Nkunku has reportedly made it clear that he wants to kickstart his career outside of the English capital and a speedy return to Germany has been widely speculated.
However, with Chelsea reportedly reigniting their interest in wantaway Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho, it has been previously suggested that Maresca’s side would be keen on including the 27-year-old in any possible deal.
🚨🔵 Christopher #Nkunku will leave Chelsea this summer – the decision has been made, as previously reported. #CFC
A permanent transfer is planned, not a loan.
FC Bayern are still monitoring his situation and remain in contact with his management. However, nothing is advanced… pic.twitter.com/qPr1RVyp2p
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 19, 2025
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Although Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall might have immediately followed his former Leicester boss to Stamford Bridge last summer in a reported £30million deal, the 26-year-old has quickly become a forgotten man in west London.
Only making a pair of Premier League starts last season and clearly not part of Maresca’s plans for next season, it is almost impossible to see how the one-time Blackpool loanee can revive his career in the English capital.
Publicly rejecting a move to Brighton in a dramatic fashion last summer as he forced through a move to SW6, Dewsbury-Hall now finds himself at a major crossroads and has a huge decision on his hands over the next month.
With Maresca publicly stating earlier in the year the the ex-Leicester skipper was frustrated with a lack of opportunities, it has even been speculated that the Blues would be open to accepting an initial loan move for their misfit midfield star.
Although Chelsea have already accepted that it will be difficult to recoup the entire £30million that they spent last year, all parties have accepted that a move away from Stamford Bridge is best.
🚨🔵 Maresca: “Unfortunately I cannot say that Dewsbury-Hall is not for sale”.
“Not only about Kiernan, but the whole squad. When the window is open, anything can happen”. pic.twitter.com/PYG08PxtJA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 20, 2024
