It is early August and while most Premier League clubs are enjoying some long-overdue time away from the spotlight, Chelsea's Cobham training base continues to hum with activity.
In the same week that Frank Lampard has described starting next season on September 12 as "too early" given his side's schedule, it has been reported that he is preparing a summer clear-out.
The focus of the week will be on assembling a patched-up squad to take to Germany as Chelsea look to overturn a 3-0 deficit from their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich.
Lampard has enjoyed an impressive debut season at Stamford Bridge under the cloud of a transfer ban, but his side's shortcomings have revealed that changes will still be necessary if he is to turn Chelsea into title contenders.
The Blues have already invested heavily in the transfer market by bolstering their forward line by signing Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech and beating Liverpool to Germany striker Timo Werner. But with sales designed to generate funds for further upgrades, which players should be shown the door?
Up to 10 players could depart in order for the likes of Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell to arrive as Chelsea continue their squad overhaul, but who do you think should be sold?
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Chelsea target Kai Havertz has been tipped to become "an absolute superstar in the next few years" by German football expert Raphael Honigstein.
Bayer Leverkusen are holding out for £90m for the attacking midfielder, but Sky Sports understands a structured deal starting at £70m and rising to that higher figure with add-ons has been proposed.
Honigstein told the Transfer Talk podcast: "He has work to do and has things to prove because he's only just turned 21 but he's an outstanding talent, there's absolutely no doubt about that. He's in a position where he could dominate the German national team over the next decade, depending on his position.
"Will he play in the No 10 role and become the new Mesut Ozil or will he settle a bit deeper and become the new Toni Kroos? He's got the ability to play almost anywhere in front of the defence.
"If you look at the unique combination he has of technical ability and eye for a pass, but also having the ability to score and create goals himself, and his runs to be good in the air, I think the best way to sum it up is that he's a cross between Mesut Ozil and Michael Ballack.
"Both of them individually in their prime were pretty good players but a combination of both players in their prime, he'll be an absolute superstar. All the indications are that he will turn into an absolute superstar in the next few years."
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Mesut Ozil, Wilfried Zaha, Kai Havertz, Gareth Bale and much, much more...
We take a look at some of the big names who will be the centre of attention during the transfer window...
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The summer transfer window will run for 10 weeks from July 27 and close at 11pm on October 5.
A domestic-only window for trades between the Premier League and EFL then runs from October 5 and closes on Friday October 16 at 5pm. Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports' digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
If reading on skysports.com, comment below to get involved in the debate.
Name the Chelsea players you would keep this summer, but please adhere to our House Rules. If you wish to report any comment, simply click on the down arrow next to the offending comment and click 'Report'.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
363
Funny I already made this list just a few minutes ago I'll post it again. We need to offload a lot more than 10 but for now let's say 10. Some names I'd keep for squad depth. Here is my list of sales and purchases (This could take more than 1 window to offload all these): . • Sell: Batshuayi, Barkley, Drinkwater, Bakayoko, Nathan, Baba Rahman, Emerson, Alonso, Jorginho, Kennedy, Christensen, Rudiger, Caballero. . • Loan: Tomori, Gilmour, Cumming. . • Buy: New GK - Pope, Onana, Cakir etc. New CB - Rice, Dunk, Romagnoli etc. New LB - Reguilon, Tagliafico, Gosens etc. New rotation winger: Benrahma New creative midfielder: Havertz (Pretty much done) . • Return/Promote: Back up LB: Maatsen/Castillo Back up DM: Ampadu . If a players name isnt on here they're probably kept for starting or squad strength from what we already have. This is the kind of team I want to see next season:
sufyrumu
257
Go 1 - Batshuayi 2 - Christensen 3 - Kennedy 4 - Drinkwater 5 - Emerson Stay 1 - Willian -: I would have loved Willian to stay,But it is not looking that way,Willian would have provided the new young players guidance on how to play in the EPL,He experience would have help young players a lot next season. 2 - Kante -: Kante is still one of the best players at Chelsea right now,If not the best players,He defensive abilities would be crucial to Chelsea if we are going to win anything next season,He can cover for the other midfielders who would attack together with the attackers. 3 - Zouma -: Even if we are to buy new players in the defensive department,We still need Zouma as a backup for unexpected injuries,No one has helped Chelsea more in the defense like Zouma,He has been the best this season,If not for Zouma we would have not have made UCL Football next season. 4 - Barkley -: I don't know why many do not like Barkley,But Barkley is a very good player that i adore very much,His ability to dribble,swivel and link-up passes are absolutely amazing,He would still be good back up for Chelsea next season. 5 - Kepa -: He suggest he should still be at the club but should be loaned out to another club,Kepa was one of the best keepers in the 2018/19 season,So it's obvious he may just be having a bad season this season and might improve in his loan spell and should be given a second chance if he does improve. 5 - Marcos Alonso -: Alonso should be kept too,He would serve as a good backup for the new LB,When Alonso is on his game he does Marvelous things,He only struggles a bit in his defensive abilities,But he would surely be a good backup. - I just hope good decisions are made to make Chelsea go back to their very best. - KTBFF ⬜💙