Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku and Armando Broja are all missing from Chelsea’s matchday squad for the side’s Premier League opener against Manchester City this afternoon.
It’s been a busy summer transfer window at Stamford Bridge, with ten new recruits arriving through the doors in the shape of Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, Omari Kellyman, Caleb Wiley, Mike Penders and Aaron Anselmino.
The Blues are also working on a deal for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, who previously enjoyed a loan spell in west London, as well as Victor Osimhen, with Enzo Maresca keen for further attacking reinforcements before the transfer deadline.
In terms of player departures, Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson and Diego Moreira have been sold for a combined fee of around around £103million, while Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Hakim Ziyech left the club on free transfers.
Atletico Madrid have been locked in talks to sign Conor Gallagher for much of the summer but Chelsea’s unsuccessful pursuit of Samu Omorodion saw the move hit the rocks, with the England midfielder currently left in limbo.
Meanwhile, Lukaku – who spent last season on loan at Roma – has been offered to Napoli as a potential makeweight in a deal for Osimhen and Broja could be set for a switch to Ipswich.
It remains to be seen where Gallagher, Lukaku and Broja will be playing their football when the transfer window closes, but all three are absent for Chelsea’s encounter with Premier League champions City.
Ben Chilwell is another notable omission from Maresca’s 20-man group, with the England left-back believed to be a target for Manchester United.
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