Chelsea were plunged into chaos on Friday when they were handed a two transfer window ban by FIFA for breaching rules around the transfer of minors.
They will not be able to register new players for the next two transfer windows — the coming summer window and next January.
The ban is likely to have significant repercussions for Chelsea's transfer plans, and the future of key players such as Eden Hazard.
Hazard has been desperate to join Real Madrid but may now be left with no choice but to stay at Stamford Bridge with the Blues unable to bring in a replacement.
He now appears destined to leave on a free transfer in 2020, with no sign that a new deal is in sight.
Up front Chelsea face having to bring back at least one on loan striker.
They will not be able to take up the option to make Gonzalo Higuain's loan deal permanent and face losing Olivier Giroud with his contract up this summer.
That could hand lifelines to much-maligned pair Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi.
Atletico Madrid are likely to exercise their right to buy Morata outright, giving Batshuayi an unexpected second chance at Stamford Bridge.
Tammy Abraham had appeared set for a loan to Wolves in January after a successful spell at Aston Villa.
He may now find himself auditioning for that sole striker spot in Chelsea's starting lineup between now and the end of the season.
There is a mini crisis for Chelsea in goal, with back-ups to No 1 Kepa - Willy Caballero and Rob Green - out of contract this summer.
At 37 Caballero is a spring chicken next to 39-year-old Rob Green and appears likely to earn another deal.
In defence Cesar Azpilicueta remains a mainstay. Emerson Palmieri may now earn a regular chance at left-back.
The 24-year-old has only made 16 appearances since joining 13 months ago but may present a more viable option than the declining Marcos Alonso.
In midfield Jorginho faces an uncertain future should Maurizio Sarri leave before the end of the season, as expected.
That presents an opportunity for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has been starved of first-team minutes under the Italian. N'Golo Kante would return in his natural central position.
And Chelsea could go with a new-look three behind the main man Batshuayi with Hazard operating in the centre, flanked by Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The purchase of Pulisic ahead of the summer window looks shrewder now, while it denies Hudson-Odoi the move to Bayern Munich he has so craved.
There is a feeling that the 18-year-old would be handed more first-team chances under a different manager.
In reserve, Ethan Ampadu will find himself higher up the pecking order but often on the bench.
A number of loan players are likely to return, even Tiemoue Bakayoko, despite preferring to stay at AC Milan. Mason Mount will have gained much from his spell at Derby this year, and Kurt Zouma will boost the numbers despite two years away.
Teenage full-back Reece James, on loan at Wigan, could be given the opportunity to stake his claim too.
Despite the ban, Chelsea still have plenty of options thanks to the wealth of players out on loan.
duwcdelu
1
I like the line up
Hazbinort
1
the ban might come as a blessing in disguise.
Alwasi
1
If dey can work with dis it will be ok
nawabklor
0
McSinClaire
1
I prefer Kovacic to RLC, also Emerson??? I still prefer Alonso, Emerson's marking is too bad.
McSinClaire
0
am sure this will work out
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I prefer Willian to Pedro, btw for next season Pulisic on that spot, Idk for the post of CF, Morata maybe.
nedemosu
1
Nazckmnsy
0
Chelsea must stop giving Batshuayi out of loan plz. he is better than this Henguin and Morata. I know and surely they can work together with Giroud and Hazard assisting them.
Yodacdkmuz
1
[image]
Higuain out of contract and Aina has been sold
Cazikuy
1
tjbear0910
1
I think this can be a strong team and we can have Subs: Tammy Abraham, Mount, David Luiz, Jorginho, Caballero, Pedro, William, Zapacosta, Alonso, Drinkwater, Cahill...
Moseswangola2
1
ashmil_shaz10
0
good pick...but I don't think leaving out William is a good I idea..I mean he not even on the sub? what does that mean?
Willian is 30 now we should replace him next season
Godeyee
1
u are crazy
hitactz
1
Best line-up for today
Foakos
0
Since Sarri love Jorginho so much, let Kante partner him in the center of the defence to protect and the center backs. Kante can also attack when the whole are attacking, he can also cover the RB when they are out attacking. Jorginho can be able distribute the ball without to many pressure on him....
Princespark6
0
Amazing Lineup!
[image]
Best
Princespark6
0
This line up will be best for today and next season. Sarri should try this as our starting 11, it will help us.
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I agree with you
Princespark6
0
This line up will be best for today and next season. Sarri should try this as our starting 11, it will help us.
[image]
I agree with you
Princespark6
1
Is better like this, than now. Pedro and Willian and Luiz has given there best to the team, is high time we field young talent
sindlnort
2
This line up will be best for today and next season. Sarri should try this as our starting 11, it will help us.
Zucabknpru
0
Who ever you put up, it's still a confused team, led by a confused coach. No player or coach would want to join chelski for the next two years with the ban. Stamford Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
You watch too much 442oons
Sinkluy
2
Today's line up
Sinkluy
1
I prefer th
geshomilumba
3
am sure this will work out
Zeabdkry
1
Amazing Lineup!
danriwbik
1
Maybe 🤔after the ban and Chelsea still not improving better in improvement, I might leave 😒
danriwbik
0
This might help
[image]
ur confuse
danriwbik
0
Who ever you put up, it's still a confused team, led by a confused coach. No player or coach would want to join chelski for the next two years with the ban. Stamford Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
it's Chelsea not chelski
hondekmouz
0
Who ever you put up, it's still a confused team, led by a confused coach. No player or coach would want to join chelski for the next two years with the ban. Stamford Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
Tapbikmry
2
This might help a lot.
hukdkmopuz
4
Chelsea line up next session
yebbptz
2
This might help
kabbcdku
0
Chelsea football club are the club that don't cherished their academy
Zosbcdelpt
3
Strongest XI come next season
tupcdekl
5
strong team
tupcdekl
5
This will really help us
cezbcdikop
0
I'm very optimistic about this line up
Yawabckrs
2
Yawabckrs
2
Tawalnpuyz
1
Mzmrkus
0
Abraham should replace batshuayi
hesirty
0
Homadlotuz
0
I wish Sarri sacked & ban exist the blues army on loan will be back on fire to the peak
pawcdmntz
1
Pokckrty
0
am really happy for this cause it's gonna make Chelsea use the youngsters. I hope they'll prove Chelsea board wrong
roalmnstu
1
Piebcdktyz
1
Actually, except for the striking position, I really like the possible setup of next season's team! The formation, the players, they're all perfect
Mboy_Swag04
2
Time for them to call back all 500 loan players 😂😂😂
Toaadiklsy
0
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hazard in false 9 ???did you watched him play in that position under Antonio Conte and sarri,did he performed well??? hazard in false 9 is not worth it he can't play there....thanks